Considering East Rockaway vs Cincinnati -help me decide
Anyone else feel this way? Median household income is $112,415, which feels pretty solid for the area. The median home value here is around $623,500, which is pretty steep. Crime rate is something to consider -East Rockaway sits at 119.0 per 100K. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Is this normal for East Rockaway? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
1 upvotes
13 Replies
Cameron Chavez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 29, moved here 11 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Eastside and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The dating scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for retirees. tough vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Dallas, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
39 upvotes
Levi
same here
39 upvotes
Emilia M.
I'm a nurse and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
38 upvotes
Cora R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 9 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
35 upvotes
Lucas D.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to Portland it's pretty good.
31 upvotes
Isaiah C.
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is dating scene. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
27 upvotes
Cooper Alvarez
Came here for cost of living and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The weather is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
27 upvotes
houstonheart2024
Bought a house here in 2020 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone about the same since then.
25 upvotes
Jacob A.
it depends on the neighborhood
23 upvotes
dallasmama2026
I've lived in The Heights for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of new development happening
- The weather scene is improving
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
22 upvotes
Gabriella L.
great question, following
11 upvotes
grace_runner
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
8 upvotes
allison_fan
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Springfield. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in government. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
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