Thinking about relocating to Harrisonburg from San Francisco
Been meaning to ask this. I'm a nurse at the local hospital and Crime rate is something to consider -Harrisonburg sits at 205.9 per 100K. Rent is about $1,120/month for a decent place. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. What are your go-to spots? The food scene here is surprisingly good.
4 upvotes
13 Replies
Carol E.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 41, moved here 10 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Lakewood and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Diverse dining options
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 outdoor recreation situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for families. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Boston, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$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.
31 upvotes
Joseph C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Charlotte about 11 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are wild, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
30 upvotes
Carter Watson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 5 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
29 upvotes
Aubrey Jackson
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much reasonable but now it's decent.
27 upvotes
Jacob Baker
I work in tech here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is underrated. Happy to answer more specific questions..
27 upvotes
Harold D.
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
26 upvotes
Addison Chavez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely underrated and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Riverside) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. safety 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.
20 upvotes
Andrew Martinez
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor recreation is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
18 upvotes
Elijah Thompson
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The safety is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
11 upvotes
Eliana Walker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 57, moved here 9 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Lakewood and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The food scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for young professionals. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Portland, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K 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.
8 upvotes
Everett White
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
2 upvotes
Silas Torres
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 10 years. Moved from Atlanta for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2020 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is average - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown schools are underrated. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Property taxes are high. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, 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.
1 upvotes
Rebecca B.
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
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