raleighguy2021
jobs
Albany job market vs St. Louis
Random thought, The suburbs are where most families end up.
19 upvotes
2 Replies
Brenda H.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 11 years. Moved from Boston for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are better than expected. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Limited high-paying job options. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in West for 11 years. Moved from Boston for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are better than expected. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Limited high-paying job options. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Addison Myers
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Lakewood. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in engineering. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Lakewood. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in engineering. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
24 upvotes