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Waylon Flores living

Pros and cons of Kingston after 7 years

Alright, Born and raised here. Poverty rate is 12.5%, which is around average. You can expect to pay around $851 for rent here. Household incomes average around $49,010 in Kingston. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Thoughts? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
5 upvotes

13 Replies

Julia Green
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cultural scene. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
37 upvotes
Wyatt Wright
Bought a house here in 2020 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
36 upvotes
Jose Wright
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
33 upvotes
nyc_thomas
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
28 upvotes
Alexander L.
good to know, thanks
24 upvotes
Leonardo A.
bump
24 upvotes
Elijah Cox
good to know, thanks
21 upvotes
Reagan S.
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
17 upvotes
Connor Hall
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The walkability is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
14 upvotes
Delilah K.
bump
11 upvotes
Waylon
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a software engineer, 51, moved here 14 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Downtown and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Property taxes are high
3. The outdoor recreation situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for retirees. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Miami, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K here.

**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
10 upvotes
James Martinez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a chef, 24, moved here 1 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in South and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Four distinct seasons
2. Close to major attractions
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The public transit situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for retirees. average 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 Raleigh, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K here.

**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
7 upvotes
David Nguyen
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
4 upvotes
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