Hello, Born and raised here. With a population of 36,436, Elmont is a smaller city. Median household income is $120,917, which feels pretty solid for the area. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
9 upvotes
8 Replies
Nicholas
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 3 years. Moved from Charlotte for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is solid - 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 average. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Bugs and humidity in summer. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Barbara L.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
32 upvotes
Alexander Nelson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Midtown. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in education. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
19 upvotes
Audrey Lopez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 4 years. Moved from San Diego for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. West schools are improving. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Limited entertainment options. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
13 upvotes
Lauren K.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Austin about 9 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Four distinct seasons
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are established, gas is average.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Hope this helps!.
8 upvotes
Willow Bailey
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 2 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
6 upvotes
Caleb Torres
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.