Hey everyone, I relocated for work and Household incomes average around $152,007 in Franconia. Poverty rate is 3.1%, which is pretty low. Rent is about $2,469/month for a decent place. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
0 upvotes
15 Replies
Ethan Harris
Moved here last year, no regrets.
40 upvotes
Nolan Long
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 14 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
39 upvotes
Owen Kim
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
37 upvotes
Evelyn S.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 4 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
32 upvotes
Michael Diaz
I'm a chef and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
27 upvotes
Autumn Harris
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
26 upvotes
Nicole S.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 5 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
24 upvotes
Arianna Bennett
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
21 upvotes
Luna Allen
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The safety is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
19 upvotes
Declan
I've lived in Eastside for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good healthcare facilities
- The nightlife scene is decent
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Good luck with whatever you decide..
12 upvotes
Ryan C.
Moved here from Charlotte about 5 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to nightlife but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
11 upvotes
Jack Kim
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is average in most areas.
10 upvotes
Eliana Harris
Moved here last year, no regrets.
7 upvotes
Ezra Thompson
interesting, hadn't considered that
6 upvotes
Mateo Nelson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 14 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2018 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have national forests 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 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Dating scene is rough. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.