First post here. I grew up here but left for a while. Homes are going for about $324,200 on average. Household incomes average around $83,044 in Hammonton. Rent is about $1,375/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 5.2%, which is about average. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Let me know your thoughts. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The suburbs are where most families end up. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
10 upvotes
13 Replies
Denise B.
yeah no that's not right
35 upvotes
Chloe Sanchez
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Korean places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
35 upvotes
Austin Howard
following this thread
34 upvotes
John J.
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 4 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good internet infrastructure
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. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited shopping options
3. The pet-friendliness situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for couples. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Seattle, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
34 upvotes
Brooklyn Perez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
27 upvotes
Zachary S.
not my experience at all
25 upvotes
Hailey
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 6 years. Moved from LA for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. 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 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. engineering 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 have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset schools are tough. 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 public transit options. Nightlife is limited. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, 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.
24 upvotes
Brooks W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in East. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in real estate. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Definitely worth checking out..
22 upvotes
Zoey Gutierrez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 34, moved here 8 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Midtown and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Can feel isolated
3. The outdoor recreation situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for young professionals. tough vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Denver, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
22 upvotes
Ezra Rodriguez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Sunset. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Definitely worth checking out..
15 upvotes
Mia Allen
yeah no that's not right
10 upvotes
Savannah A.
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great craft beer places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
8 upvotes
Ian King
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.