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chill_riley1
moving
Moving to Johnsburg for work -advice?
Hi all, It's a a small town city with about 6,374 people.
15 upvotes
11 Replies
Joshua W.
thanks for sharing
40 upvotes
Miles Torres
hard disagree but ok
31 upvotes
Jose L.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in North. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in finance. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in North. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in finance. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
31 upvotes
Levi Patel
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Baltimore it's underrated.
28 upvotes
Noah Gray
I work in tech here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is better than expected. Definitely worth checking out..
15 upvotes
Adeline Lopez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Westside) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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 outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Westside) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
13 upvotes
Emily Taylor
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if healthcare matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
12 upvotes
Zoey C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 40, moved here 11 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The safety situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for singles. solid vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
Background: I'm a writer, 40, moved here 11 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The safety situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for singles. solid vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
12 upvotes
Julia R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 1 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
I've been here 1 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
10 upvotes
kcsoul2023
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
8 upvotes
Sarah Brooks
wish I knew this sooner
5 upvotes