Hey folks, I'm originally from San Francisco and With a population of 81,632, Gastonia is a smaller city. Poverty rate is 11.2%, which is around average. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Cheers. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The city has invested a lot in new development.
11 upvotes
5 Replies
Wesley Morris
100%
38 upvotes
Logan Edwards
not my experience at all
38 upvotes
Ava Ruiz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 38, moved here 2 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Greenfield and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Close to major attractions
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The safety situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for retirees. pretty good 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$80K 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.
30 upvotes
Asher B.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 1 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
All Countries
