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Natalie H. moving

Considering Glen Rock vs New York -help me decide

Curious what people think. Been living here since 2022. Household incomes average around $210,369 in Glen Rock. With a population of 12,082, Glen Rock is a small town. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The city has invested a lot in new development. Has anyone dealt with this? The suburbs are where most families end up. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
6 upvotes

15 Replies

Lydia B.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a teacher, 26, moved here 6 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in The Heights and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The healthcare situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for retirees. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Raleigh, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$130K here.

**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
33 upvotes
Aaliyah G.
I've lived in The Heights for about 6 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 Minneapolis, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good airport with direct flights
- The housing market scene is excellent

The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Not very walkable outside downtown

Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
33 upvotes
Roman Alvarez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
31 upvotes
Gabriella Hernandez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
29 upvotes
river_sarah26
Bought a house here in 2018 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
26 upvotes
Weston
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
26 upvotes
Charlotte Cook
I've lived in Sunset for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good airport with direct flights
- The school system scene is hit or miss

The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Rising rent and home prices

Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
26 upvotes
Gianna James
honestly same experience here
25 upvotes
Sarah R.
Bought a house here in 2023 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone about the same since then.
23 upvotes
Isabelle Green
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a accountant who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 13 years ago. The main reasons were work and weather.

Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Decent public transit for the size

Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited high-paying job options

Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are established, gas is hit or miss.

Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Definitely worth checking out..
20 upvotes
Jaxon Gomez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Eastside for 10 years. Moved from Boston for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. 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 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.

**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. Eastside 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. Limited shopping options. Far from beaches/mountains. And healthcare can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Raymond C.
same here
11 upvotes
Carter Perez
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Vietnamese places. I love the pace of life here.
10 upvotes
Savannah Lopez
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
10 upvotes
Madison B.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a accountant, 49, moved here 3 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Sunset and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The pet-friendliness situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for retirees. decent vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Baltimore, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K 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.
10 upvotes
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