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Eugene M.
living
Pros and cons of Johnstown after 2 years
Curious what people think. You can expect to pay around $1,767 for rent her
0 upvotes
12 Replies
minneapolis_isaac
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 12 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
I've been here 12 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
40 upvotes
Kayden Moore
Bought a house here in 2024 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
35 upvotes
Austin James
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 25, moved here 10 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Springfield and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The school system situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for couples. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 developing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K 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.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 25, moved here 10 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Springfield and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The school system situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for couples. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 developing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K 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.
29 upvotes
Hunter Parker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Maple Ridge. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in retail. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Maple Ridge. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in retail. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
21 upvotes
Nevaeh Reyes
wish I knew this sooner
20 upvotes
Jordan Rivera
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Definitely worth checking out..
20 upvotes
Piper Allen
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Definitely worth checking out..
19 upvotes
Lydia C.
hmm interesting perspective
19 upvotes
Michael Roberts
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 5 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
I've been here 5 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
9 upvotes
Mateo Cruz
great question, following
4 upvotes
Logan Phillips
accurate
0 upvotes
Cooper
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Atlanta about 14 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are competitive, gas is decent.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Atlanta about 14 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are competitive, gas is decent.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
0 upvotes