Hey, Military spouse here. Crime rate is something to consider -Andover sits at 300.7 per 100K. The median home value here is around $389,200, which seems about average. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. What neighborhoods would you suggest? Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
26 upvotes
12 Replies
Jaxon Murphy
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Raleigh it's average.
37 upvotes
jaxrunner2020
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
28 upvotes
Jameson M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 55, moved here 11 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The school system situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for singles. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Atlanta, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
25 upvotes
Bobby A.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is excellent in most areas.
24 upvotes
Connor H.
haha yep pretty much
24 upvotes
valentina_girl
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
22 upvotes
Landon W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 54, moved here 11 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in East and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The school system situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Chicago, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
22 upvotes
Nicholas Cooper
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
18 upvotes
Timothy E.
couldn't agree more
16 upvotes
Caroline Cox
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much reasonable but now it's pretty good.
11 upvotes
Valentina Jimenez
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
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