Alright, Household incomes average around $76,964 in Dickinson. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Is this normal for Dickinson? Appreciate any input. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
28 upvotes
23 Replies
Cora Alvarez
hard disagree but ok
39 upvotes
Zachary G.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 3 years ago. The main reasons were work and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Lots of new development happening
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are competitive, gas is average.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
38 upvotes
Kai P.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
38 upvotes
Andrew Jimenez
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
35 upvotes
Denise R.
as a local I can confirm
34 upvotes
Hannah Richardson
not my experience at all
33 upvotes
Robert E.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 30, moved here 10 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Maple Ridge and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Nice parks and green spaces
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The school system situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for retirees. improving vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$110K 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.
31 upvotes
Hunter M.
noted, appreciate it
30 upvotes
Luke Cruz
it depends on the neighborhood
30 upvotes
George T.
I work in marketing here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is challenging. No regrets on my end..
26 upvotes
Madeline P.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
24 upvotes
Skylar
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 3 years. Moved from Austin for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South 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. Urban sprawl is real. Homeless population growing downtown. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Nathan
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 7 years. Moved from New York for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Cedar Grove 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Limited entertainment options. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
detroit_cameron
Saving this thread
20 upvotes
Alice Brown
Used to live on the Meadowbrook side, now on the Highland side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
19 upvotes
Bella Davis
accurate
19 upvotes
Olivia Mendoza
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 53, moved here 9 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Uptown and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally decent - 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 healthcare situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for remote workers. tough vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 San Diego, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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
Riley Rodriguez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to LA it's challenging.
11 upvotes
Mateo Perez
I've lived in Westside for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good internet infrastructure
- The cultural scene scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Feel free to reach out with questions..
8 upvotes
Michelle Y.
noted, appreciate it
6 upvotes
raised_gabriella7
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 10 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. 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 average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
3 upvotes
Gabriel R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Downtown. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in marketing. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Korean.
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