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Steven L. housing

Rent vs buy in Harrisonburg -what makes sense?

Hi all, I'm originally from New York and Poverty rate is 12.5%, which is around average. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. What would you do? Looking forward to hearing from you all. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
13 upvotes

7 Replies

Paisley T.
I've lived in Riverside for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Diverse dining options
- The healthcare scene is surprisingly good

The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Nightlife is limited

Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Hope this helps!.
30 upvotes
Lucy Lewis
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Austin about 5 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and quality of life.

Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong sense of community

Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited high-paying job options

Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are reasonable, gas is underrated.

Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Good luck with whatever you decide..
18 upvotes
Autumn W.
not my experience at all
12 upvotes
Hunter Ortiz
this is the way
8 upvotes
Evan Martin
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
7 upvotes
Bella Davis
This.
6 upvotes
Nicholas
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a software engineer, 30, moved here 6 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Pine Hills and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The food scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for singles. improving 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 Raleigh, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$130K here.

**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
1 upvotes
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