Been meaning to ask this. You can expect to pay around $877 for rent here. Household incomes average around $40,354 in Belen. Poverty rate is 22.9%, which is higher than I expected. The unemployment rate is 3.0%, which is pretty low. Property taxes are high but you get good services. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. What do you all think? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
7 upvotes
11 Replies
Roman Lee
as a local I can confirm
39 upvotes
John C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 46, moved here 12 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Highland and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The school system situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
33 upvotes
christian_girl
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
26 upvotes
Theodore Smith
I'm a electrician and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
24 upvotes
Kai Wright
This.
22 upvotes
fresno_chloe
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
18 upvotes
Scarlett Gomez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
17 upvotes
Jayden
I'm a writer and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is average and there's always something going on.
10 upvotes
jaxrunner2020
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Springfield. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in retail. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
6 upvotes
Aiden
I've lived in The Heights for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Decent public transit for the size
- The outdoor recreation scene is decent
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Summers can be brutally hot
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Definitely worth checking out..
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