Anyone else feel this way? I'm a teacher here and Household incomes average around $140,631 in Brookline. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The weather takes some getting used to. Does this match your experience? Thanks!
29 upvotes
10 Replies
jaxliving2022
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 2 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
37 upvotes
Liam J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 57, moved here 8 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Sunset and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The nightlife situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for couples. solid vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Nashville, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
36 upvotes
Leo Price
Totally agree!
23 upvotes
Greyson Sanchez
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The cost of living is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
22 upvotes
Carter Wilson
seconding this
15 upvotes
Aaliyah Reed
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 7 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
12 upvotes
Alexander Hughes
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The food scene is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
8 upvotes
Bella White
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 35, moved here 7 years ago from New York. I've lived in West and The Heights, 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. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The walkability situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for young professionals. tough vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 New York, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
7 upvotes
Amelia
I've lived in Midtown for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- The community vibe scene is average
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Good luck with whatever you decide..
7 upvotes
Isaiah
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Meadowbrook. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in tech. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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