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Charles N.
living
Day-to-day life in Hackensack, NJ
Hey folks, Crime rate is something to consider -Hackensack sits at 231.4 per 100K.
22 upvotes
13 Replies
Naomi Bennett
I'm a pharmacist and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
39 upvotes
Miles Green
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 32, moved here 15 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Springfield and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Nice parks and green spaces
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. Road conditions need improvement
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The job market situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 San Diego, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$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.
Background: I'm a accountant, 32, moved here 15 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Springfield and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Nice parks and green spaces
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. Road conditions need improvement
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The job market situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 San Diego, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$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.
30 upvotes
Jackson Young
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 26, moved here 1 years ago from Boston. I've lived in North and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The pet-friendliness situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Boston, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
Background: I'm a nurse, 26, moved here 1 years ago from Boston. I've lived in North and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The pet-friendliness situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Boston, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
25 upvotes
Nolan Peterson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
25 upvotes
Nolan H.
hmm interesting perspective
24 upvotes
Kai Brooks
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 14 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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. consulting 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:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is tough - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West 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. Nightlife is limited. Homeless population growing downtown. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in West for 14 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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. consulting 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:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is tough - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West 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. Nightlife is limited. Homeless population growing downtown. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
coastal_piper98
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (West) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (West) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
21 upvotes
Alice Roberts
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
17 upvotes
Audrey Lopez
haha yep pretty much
17 upvotes
Lily Martinez
literally same
13 upvotes
Isla
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Greenfield. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in government. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Greenfield. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in government. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
7 upvotes
Kennedy Roberts
interesting, hadn't considered that
7 upvotes
Sarah R.
Used to live on the Springfield side, now on the Uptown side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
2 upvotes