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Dominic
best-worst
Unpopular opinion about Kiryas Joel
The city has invested a lot in new development. Any advice would be great. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
19 upvotes
26 Replies
Ezekiel Garcia
not my experience at all
40 upvotes
Paisley R.
Bought a house here in 2019 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
40 upvotes
Josiah Wright
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely better than expected and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (South) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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 cost of living, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely better than expected and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (South) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
38 upvotes
Lydia Evans
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Miami about 9 years ago. The main reasons were work and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Bugs and humidity in summer
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are growing, gas is challenging.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Good luck with whatever you decide..
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Miami about 9 years ago. The main reasons were work and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Bugs and humidity in summer
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are growing, gas is challenging.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Good luck with whatever you decide..
36 upvotes
Axel D.
I've lived in Maple Ridge for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Affordable housing options
- The cultural scene scene is average
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Affordable housing options
- The cultural scene scene is average
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
35 upvotes
Stephanie R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from San Diego about 8 years ago. The main reasons were family and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is decent.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from San Diego about 8 years ago. The main reasons were family and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is decent.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
34 upvotes
Adam W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 55, moved here 3 years ago from New York. I've lived in Fairview and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Can feel isolated
3. The weather situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for singles. decent vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 New York, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$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 pharmacist, 55, moved here 3 years ago from New York. I've lived in Fairview and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Can feel isolated
3. The weather situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for singles. decent vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 New York, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$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.
34 upvotes
Riley Price
I'm a physical therapist and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
33 upvotes
Charlotte Martinez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Minneapolis it's surprisingly good.
32 upvotes
Isabella M.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
27 upvotes
Luca Alvarez
exactly what I was thinking
23 upvotes
Bruce R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Baltimore about 1 years ago. The main reasons were school and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are pricey, gas is decent.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Baltimore about 1 years ago. The main reasons were school and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are pricey, gas is decent.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
23 upvotes
Paisley Sanders
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
22 upvotes
Justin J.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
22 upvotes
Evelyn Chavez
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Sunset area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
22 upvotes
Elijah
I've lived in Maple Ridge for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The outdoor recreation scene is improving
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Winters are long and cold
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The outdoor recreation scene is improving
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Winters are long and cold
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
21 upvotes
Wesley Lewis
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 9 years. Moved from Tampa for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. 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 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East 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. Limited public transit options. Road conditions need improvement. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in East for 9 years. Moved from Tampa for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. 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 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East 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. Limited public transit options. Road conditions need improvement. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Addison
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 8 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
I've been here 8 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
17 upvotes
Camila Peterson
wish I knew this sooner
17 upvotes
Stella Taylor
I work in education here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is challenging. Hope this helps!.
14 upvotes
Hunter
I'm a contractor and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
12 upvotes
Violet R.
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Springfield area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
10 upvotes
Olivia Bailey
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 7 years. Moved from LA for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2023 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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. Sunset schools are tough. 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. Winters are long and cold. Limited shopping options. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Sunset for 7 years. Moved from LA for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2023 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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. Sunset schools are tough. 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. Winters are long and cold. Limited shopping options. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Keith W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 25, moved here 11 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Eastside and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The community vibe situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for young professionals. solid vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Charlotte, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K 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 chef, 25, moved here 11 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Eastside and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The community vibe situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for young professionals. solid vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Charlotte, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K 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.
7 upvotes
Arianna Mitchell
exactly what I was thinking
3 upvotes
Amy P.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from LA about 1 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of new development happening
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are established, gas is decent.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. No regrets on my end..
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from LA about 1 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of new development happening
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are established, gas is decent.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. No regrets on my end..
3 upvotes