Anyone else feel this way? My partner and I are With a population of 28,269, Bergenfield is a smaller city. Rent is about $1,744/month for a decent place. Crime rate is something to consider -Bergenfield sits at 54.7 per 100K. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Does this match your experience? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
13 upvotes
24 Replies
Stella Anderson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Tampa about 8 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good airport with direct flights
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are established, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Feel free to reach out with questions..
40 upvotes
Waylon Foster
preach
38 upvotes
Emma G.
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in Sunset area are challenging. Kids love it here.
37 upvotes
Greyson J.
bump
36 upvotes
Adam J.
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
34 upvotes
Katherine Smith
I've lived in North for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Decent public transit for the size
- The cost of living scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. Feel free to reach out with questions..
34 upvotes
Jameson Watson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Eastside. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in marketing. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
32 upvotes
nycchef2023
not my experience at all
31 upvotes
Ava C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 37, moved here 5 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Midtown and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The public transit situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for families. solid vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Phoenix, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K 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.
25 upvotes
Amelia Cruz
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
25 upvotes
Nevaeh James
lol so true
20 upvotes
Everly
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely solid and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (East) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
19 upvotes
Eleanor Cook
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- The safety scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
18 upvotes
Ian Smith
spot on
17 upvotes
Paisley Hill
literally same
17 upvotes
Olivia R.
Moved here from Nashville about 9 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to job market but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
16 upvotes
Zoe Miller
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Greenfield. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in education. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
15 upvotes
Nicholas Mendoza
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
13 upvotes
Jacqueline C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 14 years. Moved from Chicago for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. government 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 pretty good - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Springfield 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. Limited public transit options. Property taxes are high. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Mia Clark
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Westside area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
9 upvotes
Genesis Cruz
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Denver it's decent.
9 upvotes
Amber H.
this is the way
8 upvotes
Robert Gray
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much established but now it's pretty good.
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