First post here. I'm a teacher here and Poverty rate is 11.7%, which is around average. Crime rate is something to consider — Boston sits at 725.7 per 100K. The unemployment rate is 4.2%, which is about average. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Has anyone dealt with this? TIA! Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
1 upvotes
10 Replies
Leo C.
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The public transit is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
37 upvotes
Lily Alvarez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from San Francisco about 4 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Close to major attractions
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are growing, gas is tough.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Hope this helps!.
37 upvotes
Cooper G.
underrated comment
34 upvotes
Charlotte Rodriguez
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The dating scene is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
27 upvotes
Gabriel
nah I disagree
22 upvotes
Jayden Morales
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
13 upvotes
Natalie Kim
Bought a house here in 2024 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
13 upvotes
Autumn C.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
12 upvotes
Nicholas Parker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 52, moved here 9 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Old Town and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The nightlife situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
12 upvotes
raised_isaiah30
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much established but now it's underrated.