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Bennett K.
living
The good and bad of living in Hanover
Longtime lurker here, Been living here since 2007. Is this normal for Hanover? Cheers.
3 upvotes
12 Replies
Kaylee L.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in The Heights. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in real estate. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in The Heights. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in real estate. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
40 upvotes
Jack Taylor
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely underrated and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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 cost of living, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely underrated and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
40 upvotes
Henry Scott
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 13 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
I've been here 13 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
38 upvotes
Angela M.
Can confirm, been here 1 years.
36 upvotes
Declan Campbell
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 54, moved here 12 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Greenfield and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The weather situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for remote workers. tough vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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 writer, 54, moved here 12 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Greenfield and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The weather situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for remote workers. tough vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
24 upvotes
Bennett Young
haha yep pretty much
19 upvotes
Sarah Williams
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely average and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Fairview) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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 dating scene, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely average and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Fairview) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
15 upvotes
Hudson Lee
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
13 upvotes
Abigail Johnson
good to know, thanks
13 upvotes
Sofia Stewart
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is excellent in most areas.
7 upvotes
bostongirl2026
Came here for family and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The walkability is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
5 upvotes
James W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 6 years. Moved from Chicago for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
government is strong here. retail 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 exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Lakewood schools are hit or miss. 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. Dating scene is rough. Far from beaches/mountains. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Lakewood for 6 years. Moved from Chicago for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
government is strong here. retail 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 exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Lakewood schools are hit or miss. 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. Dating scene is rough. Far from beaches/mountains. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes