First post here. I'm originally from Raleigh and Household incomes average around $67,758 in Hampton. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Worth the trade-offs? The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
37 upvotes
15 Replies
Hailey Rogers
Can confirm, been here 14 years.
38 upvotes
Lucas Phillips
I've lived in West for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- The job market scene is solid
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. Good luck with whatever you decide..
35 upvotes
Anna Gomez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Nashville 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 solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in education. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
31 upvotes
Serenity Hughes
Moved here from Nashville about 10 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to community vibe but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
22 upvotes
Easton T.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 1 years. Moved from Denver for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
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 exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. Cedar Grove schools are improving. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Dating scene is rough. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
17 upvotes
Benjamin Sanchez
Moved here from Pittsburgh about 11 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to school system but Hope this helps!.
13 upvotes
Julia Cox
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The food scene is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
13 upvotes
Aurora Edwards
This.
11 upvotes
tucsonlocal2021
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to Baltimore it's improving.
10 upvotes
Nora Scott
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to Austin it's improving.
9 upvotes
Isla Flores
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 48, moved here 9 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in East and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The nightlife situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for singles. challenging 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 Charlotte, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
7 upvotes
Isaac Mendoza
big facts right here
7 upvotes
Silas Kim
+1
4 upvotes
Wyatt C.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Definitely worth checking out..
3 upvotes
Joshua Miller
I work in engineering here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is excellent. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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