Why I chose Dunkirk over bigger cities

nyc_reagan Mar 14, 2026

OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Midtown. It's hit or miss for what you get.

Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in tech. If you're in retail you might struggle.

People: Generally solid. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Indian.

Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..

38 upvotes

Landon Watson Feb 27, 2026

been saying this for years

37 upvotes

Michael White Feb 25, 2026

Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.

13 upvotes

Levi R. Mar 15, 2026

Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value job market, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely average and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Sunset) is established 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 Not a lot of cultural diversity.

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.

7 upvotes