Alright, We have two kids and With a population of 33,209, Chester is a smaller city. The median home value here is around $85,400, which is actually reasonable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
28 upvotes
17 Replies
chill_ariana20
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
31 upvotes
Ezra Gray
good to know, thanks
31 upvotes
Joseph Mendoza
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely average and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Midtown) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
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.
29 upvotes
Kayden S.
Used to live on the Midtown side, now on the South side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
29 upvotes
Ryan Garcia
thanks for sharing
22 upvotes
maverick_mama
hard disagree but ok
21 upvotes
Isaac T.
as a local I can confirm
17 upvotes
Olivia Mendoza
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
15 upvotes
Adrian C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely underrated and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (The Heights) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
15 upvotes
Lucy Cruz
Moved here from Atlanta about 1 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to public transit but Hope this helps!.
13 upvotes
Camila Allen
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely solid and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Springfield) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
10 upvotes
Wyatt Rogers
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 54, moved here 1 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Midtown and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The walkability situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for singles. average 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 Charlotte, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
9 upvotes
Samuel Carter
big facts right here
8 upvotes
Jayden Ward
couldn't agree more
6 upvotes
Ian
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 10 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are manageable, gas is improving.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
4 upvotes
Joe R.
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much developing but now it's better than expected.
3 upvotes
Ryan J.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 15 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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