Been living here since 2013. You can expect to pay around $871 for rent here. Household incomes average around $43,089 in Elmira. Rent is about $871/month for a decent place. Average temperature is around 48--F, so expect cold winters. The weather takes some getting used to. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Should I be concerned? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
26 upvotes
30 Replies
Dominic Anderson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 39, moved here 6 years ago from Boston. I've lived in North and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Limited shopping options
3. The walkability situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for young professionals. improving vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Boston, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K 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.
40 upvotes
Camila R.
accurate
39 upvotes
Emma Richardson
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great Asian places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
39 upvotes
Naomi Chavez
hard disagree but ok
37 upvotes
Adam Rogers
Came here for work and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The safety is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
34 upvotes
Autumn Cox
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
33 upvotes
Elena Harris
it depends on the neighborhood
33 upvotes
Kinsley Walker
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great seafood places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
32 upvotes
Cooper Morales
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
32 upvotes
alice_soul
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Houston about 9 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Active local events and festivals
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are reasonable, gas is improving.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Happy to answer more specific questions..
29 upvotes
Eleanor Carter
This.
27 upvotes
Leo Ramos
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
true_landon21
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much manageable but now it's pretty good.
24 upvotes
Emma Roberts
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great craft beer places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
23 upvotes
Lucas Turner
Can confirm, been here 14 years.
22 upvotes
Jose Ortiz
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Austin it's hit or miss.
20 upvotes
Cooper Scott
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 35, moved here 6 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Downtown and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The traffic situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for young professionals. solid vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K 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.
20 upvotes
Nova C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Minneapolis about 15 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good airport with direct flights
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are growing, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Definitely worth checking out..
18 upvotes
phillymama2024
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 28, moved here 5 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Lakewood and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The nightlife situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for singles. decent vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K 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.
16 upvotes
phoenix_nicholas
underrated comment
12 upvotes
Maverick Gonzalez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 2 years. Moved from Atlanta for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2020 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:**
retail is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. Lakewood schools are challenging. 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. Nightlife is limited. Limited shopping options. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Sophia Hughes
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 56, moved here 12 years ago from LA. I've lived in Downtown and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The traffic situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 LA, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $60K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
10 upvotes
Melanie Brooks
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 14 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. manufacturing 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 love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is tough - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are tough. 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. Can feel isolated. Dating scene is rough. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
sacramento_isla
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
4 upvotes
Jameson M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Highland. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in finance. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Definitely worth checking out..
4 upvotes
Eli
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Uptown. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in government. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
4 upvotes
Lucas Wright
same here
4 upvotes
Isaac Wilson
thanks for sharing
3 upvotes
Levi C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 58, moved here 12 years ago from Portland. I've lived in North and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The nightlife situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for remote workers. solid vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Portland, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K 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.
2 upvotes
Cooper R.
I work in healthcare here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is improving. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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