Thinking about relocating to Hackensack from Albuquerque
So, I'm single, late 40s, and The median home value here is around $370,300, which seems about average. Crime rate is something to consider -Hackensack sits at 231.4 per 100K. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. 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. The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
20 upvotes
19 Replies
Aaliyah Phillips
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from San Francisco about 13 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Active local events and festivals
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are growing, gas is challenging.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Good luck with whatever you decide..
40 upvotes
Easton
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much manageable but now it's solid.
40 upvotes
Wesley Mitchell
yep
37 upvotes
John Castillo
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 9 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
37 upvotes
Ian T.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely better than expected and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (South) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
37 upvotes
Wayne R.
yeah no that's not right
35 upvotes
Ava Moore
I'm a pharmacist and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
35 upvotes
Theresa R.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
31 upvotes
Amber H.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Houston it's hit or miss.
30 upvotes
Caleb Morris
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Midtown area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
27 upvotes
Xavier Jackson
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Old Town area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
26 upvotes
Stephen L.
Used to live on the South side, now on the Sunset side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
20 upvotes
Emma Morgan
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 42, moved here 7 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Riverside and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The cultural scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for retirees. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K 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.
19 upvotes
zoe_dude
as a local I can confirm
17 upvotes
Luke
preach
15 upvotes
Parker Collins
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Baltimore it's underrated.
13 upvotes
Xavier Foster
noted, appreciate it
11 upvotes
Harper Cooper
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Oak Park. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Korean.
All Countries
