Not sure if this has been asked before, but I'm a nurse at the local hospital and With a population of 45,768, Hackensack is a smaller city. It's a a smaller city city with about 45,768 people. Household incomes average around $82,212 in Hackensack. Poverty rate is 7.6%, which is pretty low. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Appreciate any input. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
6 upvotes
28 Replies
nyc_mia
exactly what I was thinking
38 upvotes
Carson Nguyen
interesting, hadn't considered that
35 upvotes
Ezekiel Ward
same here
33 upvotes
tampamama2021
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 6 years. Moved from Phoenix for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town 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. Nightlife is limited. Property taxes are high. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Caroline Richardson
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Oak Park area are average. Kids love it here.
30 upvotes
Kaylee L.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely excellent and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Eastside) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, 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.
27 upvotes
Nevaeh Reed
hmm interesting perspective
27 upvotes
Maya Ortiz
Came here for cost of living and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The traffic is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
26 upvotes
indygirl2023
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 15 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
25 upvotes
Roy M.
seconding this
24 upvotes
Ariana Lewis
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Meadowbrook area are decent. Kids love it here.
22 upvotes
Robert Watson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 15 years. Moved from Atlanta for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
tech is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. Highland 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Nightlife is limited. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Billy W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Pine Hills. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in education. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Hope this helps!.
19 upvotes
Aubrey W.
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
18 upvotes
Sofia Ortiz
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much established but now it's average.
18 upvotes
Eliana Perez
underrated comment
17 upvotes
Brooklyn M.
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much growing but now it's improving.
16 upvotes
Kinsley C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 8 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
15 upvotes
Delilah
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
15 upvotes
Adrian W.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
14 upvotes
Catherine E.
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
13 upvotes
Sophia Brown
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
10 upvotes
Jacob Ramos
hmm interesting perspective
9 upvotes
Ella Hughes
seconding this
8 upvotes
Madeline Evans
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
5 upvotes
Landon
as a local I can confirm
4 upvotes
Jack P.
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
2 upvotes
Theodore
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 53, moved here 1 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in West and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The nightlife situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for young professionals. better than expected 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 average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
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