Anyone else feel this way? Born and raised here. Household incomes average around $94,423 in Essex Junction. You can expect to pay around $1,439 for rent here. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Is this normal for Essex Junction? The city has invested a lot in new development. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
10 upvotes
11 Replies
Adam Wood
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
38 upvotes
Leo James
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 5 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is average - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North 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. Rising rent and home prices. Urban sprawl is real. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Josiah Price
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 9 years. Moved from San Francisco for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2021 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. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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. Riverside schools are solid. 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. Limited shopping options. Far from beaches/mountains. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Brittany R.
glad someone said it
33 upvotes
Oliver Chavez
noted, appreciate it
30 upvotes
Paisley Collins
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Old Town area are tough. Kids love it here.
20 upvotes
Aaron Walker
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 15 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
14 upvotes
Ruby J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 41, moved here 9 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Downtown and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Property taxes are high
3. The job market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for couples. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Denver, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
14 upvotes
Grace Howard
I've lived in East for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good internet infrastructure
- The healthcare scene is solid
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Good luck with whatever you decide..
9 upvotes
David Young
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much established but now it's challenging.
5 upvotes
Oliver Evans
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Cedar Grove. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in legal. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Southern.
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