OK so Homes are going for about $442,100 on average. The median home value here is around $442,100, which is pretty steep. With a population of 58,569, Hempstead is a smaller city. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
Pros:
- Friendly people
- Close to nature
- Walkable downtown
Cons:
- Traffic can be terrible
- Boring for young people
- Far from major airports
Thanks in advance! Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The suburbs are where most families end up. Property taxes are high but you get good services. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The weather takes some getting used to.
22 upvotes
24 Replies
cool_josiah64
as a local I can confirm
39 upvotes
katherine_rider
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely solid and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
35 upvotes
Emma White
yeah no that's not right
34 upvotes
Allison Davis
yep
34 upvotes
Sean H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 36, moved here 10 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Pine Hills and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The cultural scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for couples. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Dallas, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K 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.
34 upvotes
Kinsley
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much pricey but now it's decent.
32 upvotes
Kayden
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Oak Park. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in education. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
31 upvotes
Sadie Patel
hmm interesting perspective
30 upvotes
Ariana Watson
big facts right here
30 upvotes
Cora Martin
honestly same experience here
26 upvotes
Mateo Perez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from LA about 15 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are growing, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Definitely worth checking out..
26 upvotes
Ezekiel Ramos
I'm a sales manager and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
25 upvotes
Elijah Sanders
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 2 years. Moved from Denver for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2021 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. healthcare 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:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is decent - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are challenging. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Urban sprawl is real. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Allison Torres
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Asian places. it was the best decision I ever made.
22 upvotes
Genesis
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 15 years. Moved from San Diego for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. finance 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 was the best decision I ever made. 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. Fairview schools are decent. 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 high-paying job options. Homeless population growing downtown. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Olivia L.
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much affordable but now it's underrated.
20 upvotes
Matthew Sanchez
Moved here from Raleigh about 8 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to safety but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
17 upvotes
atl_liam
Moved here last year, no regrets.
16 upvotes
denver_carson
Moved here from Miami about 3 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to weather but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
15 upvotes
Greyson Wilson
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much competitive but now it's improving.
9 upvotes
Wyatt Wright
bump
9 upvotes
Aria Morales
good to know, thanks
8 upvotes
Greyson G.
I work in government here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is pretty good. Happy to answer more specific questions..
7 upvotes
Austin Anderson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 54, moved here 12 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in East and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The traffic situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.