Hey folks, Median household income is $94,423, which feels pretty solid for the area. Homes are going for about $376,800 on average. The unemployment rate is 1.4%, which is pretty low. Household incomes average around $94,423 in Essex Junction. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. 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. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
12 upvotes
10 Replies
Leo Turner
I've lived in South for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Four distinct seasons
- The public transit scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
37 upvotes
Everly B.
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much affordable but now it's excellent.
23 upvotes
Ellie Martinez
I work in retail here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is tough. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
14 upvotes
Ian Lewis
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 54, moved here 6 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in North and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The traffic situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for remote workers. pretty good 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 Phoenix, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$100K 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
Sarah Harris
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Happy to answer more specific questions..
12 upvotes
Alexa W.
Came here for quality of life and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The dating scene is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
12 upvotes
Abigail Lee
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Miami about 10 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are established, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. No regrets on my end..
9 upvotes
Roman C.
I work in manufacturing here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is tough. Feel free to reach out with questions..
9 upvotes
vegas_carter
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 8 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
5 upvotes
kc_ella
I'm a marketing manager and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
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