Hi all, We have two kids and Average temperature is around 50--F, so expect cold winters. Household incomes average around $119,167 in Batavia. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Has anyone dealt with this?
3 upvotes
17 Replies
Benjamin Martin
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The weather is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
38 upvotes
Jack R.
I work in finance here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. No regrets on my end..
38 upvotes
Jameson L.
Saving this thread
34 upvotes
John D.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
31 upvotes
Piper Cook
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 52, moved here 9 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Greenfield and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Limited shopping options
3. The cultural scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Houston, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K 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.
30 upvotes
Kennedy W.
wish I knew this sooner
29 upvotes
Amelia Ramos
I'm a chef and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
26 upvotes
jayden_life
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much pricey but now it's challenging.
25 upvotes
Jace Hill
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 9 years. Moved from Charlotte for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is tough - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are tough. 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. Winters are long and cold. Homeless population growing downtown. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Vivian Thompson
I work in healthcare here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is underrated. Feel free to reach out with questions..
17 upvotes
Eleanor Carter
big facts right here
14 upvotes
orlando_gabriella
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 14 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
12 upvotes
Cooper Lewis
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Lakewood. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
10 upvotes
orlandomind2023
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
6 upvotes
Jameson T.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is cultural scene. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
5 upvotes
Gabriella C.
exactly what I was thinking
4 upvotes
Josiah Castillo
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in West. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in education. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Southern.