Hi all, I relocated for work and Household incomes average around $84,752 in Concord. With a population of 107K, Concord is a mid-size city. It's a a mid-size city city with about 107K people. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Is this normal for Concord? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
28 upvotes
25 Replies
Paisley James
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
40 upvotes
larunner2024
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. Definitely worth checking out..
34 upvotes
Roman Rogers
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. dating scene used to be much stable but now it's improving.
33 upvotes
Everett Morgan
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much growing but now it's tough.
32 upvotes
Lillian Morgan
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely average and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (South) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
30 upvotes
Stephen M.
exactly what I was thinking
30 upvotes
Delilah Ward
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
29 upvotes
Elizabeth Stewart
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Cedar Grove. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
28 upvotes
Lydia S.
noted, appreciate it
28 upvotes
Zoe S.
I'm a data analyst and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
28 upvotes
Zoe H.
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
27 upvotes
Sarah
this is the way
24 upvotes
Isaiah
been saying this for years
22 upvotes
Claire H.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 11 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
22 upvotes
Violet Smith
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 6 years. Moved from Minneapolis for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. 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. Old Town schools are surprisingly good. 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 high-paying job options. Homeless population growing downtown. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Mackenzie Ward
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The public transit is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
14 upvotes
Avery Torres
nah I disagree
13 upvotes
Nicholas Jackson
I work in legal here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is better than expected. No regrets on my end..
10 upvotes
Jonathan C.
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The school system is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
10 upvotes
Piper M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 7 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
9 upvotes
Stella P.
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The walkability is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
8 upvotes
Emmett L.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 55, moved here 5 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Sunset and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The dating scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for retirees. improving vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Tampa, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K 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.
8 upvotes
Cora Rodriguez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Oak Park for 13 years. Moved from Nashville for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Oak Park schools are decent. 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. Dating scene is rough. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
Bennett Williams
hard disagree but ok
4 upvotes
Emma Ortiz
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is cost of living. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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