Hello, I'm a remote worker and With a population of 50,438, Irondequoit is a smaller city. The unemployment rate is 3.1%, which is pretty low. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Am I overthinking this?
13 upvotes
29 Replies
Hudson Campbell
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much affordable but now it's tough.
40 upvotes
Leonardo Young
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 55, moved here 15 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Oak Park and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The weather situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for singles. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
40 upvotes
Hannah S.
Moved here from San Francisco about 6 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to outdoor recreation but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
37 upvotes
Andrew Brown
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Tampa about 15 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are manageable, gas is tough.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
35 upvotes
Eleanor Hill
I've lived in Downtown for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The public transit scene is decent
The downsides:
- Limited entertainment options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Happy to answer more specific questions..
34 upvotes
Waylon Jackson
I've lived in Sunset for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Affordable housing options
- The community vibe scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. No regrets on my end..
31 upvotes
Nova Ramirez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in South. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in consulting. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Ariana Roberts
yeah no that's not right
27 upvotes
Logan Nelson
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Active local events and festivals
- The food scene scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. Good luck with whatever you decide..
27 upvotes
columbus_nevaeh
not my experience at all
25 upvotes
Aaliyah Roberts
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
23 upvotes
Paisley Rodriguez
Moved here from Boston about 11 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to cultural scene but Feel free to reach out with questions..
20 upvotes
Katherine
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, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
20 upvotes
Addison
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
17 upvotes
Isaac Murphy
big facts right here
17 upvotes
Everett James
Moved here last year, no regrets.
16 upvotes
Camila N.
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Cedar Grove area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
15 upvotes
Daniel A.
yep
14 upvotes
Levi Flores
I've lived in South for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- The pet-friendliness scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
12 upvotes
Scarlett Thomas
Bought a house here in 2017 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone about the same since then.
12 upvotes
Andrew D.
thanks for sharing
9 upvotes
Ian J.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from New York about 6 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are growing, gas is average.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
9 upvotes
omaha_gabriella
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 10 years. Moved from Boston for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2021 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:**
manufacturing is strong here. construction 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 not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. Midtown schools are solid. 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. Far from beaches/mountains. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Aurora Perez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in North. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
No regrets on my end..
4 upvotes
Austin Patel
I've lived in Midtown for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Four distinct seasons
- The dating scene scene is improving
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Rising rent and home prices
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Happy to answer more specific questions..
3 upvotes
Liam R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 10 years. Moved from LA for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is average - we have lakes 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 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
2 upvotes
Madeline K.
I've lived in Maple Ridge for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Active local events and festivals
- The housing market scene is tough
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Good luck with whatever you decide..
1 upvotes
Ezra Adams
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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