Not sure if this has been asked before, but Military spouse here. With a population of 47,357, Binghamton is a smaller city. The weather takes some getting used to. Let me know your thoughts. The city has invested a lot in new development. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
10 upvotes
11 Replies
Roman H.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
38 upvotes
Mateo Mendoza
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
38 upvotes
Ruby C.
Bought a house here in 2019 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone about the same since then.
38 upvotes
Eleanor M.
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
35 upvotes
Frank M.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely challenging and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
32 upvotes
la_elizabeth
interesting, hadn't considered that
27 upvotes
Hudson Brooks
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Minneapolis about 4 years ago. The main reasons were work and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are growing, gas is challenging.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Feel free to reach out with questions..
25 upvotes
Ethan R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Maple Ridge for 10 years. Moved from Tampa for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2021 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. Maple Ridge 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 shopping options. Limited entertainment options. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Valentina Ross
Used to live on the Uptown side, now on the Highland side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
21 upvotes
Sofia
seconding this
21 upvotes
austin_living
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 7 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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