Hey everyone, The median home value here is around $607,500, which is pretty steep. With a population of 65,509, Malden is a smaller city. Poverty rate is 9.0%, which is pretty low. Household incomes average around $95,298 in Malden. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Does this match your experience? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
20 upvotes
6 Replies
Angel Robinson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 28, moved here 9 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in East and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Close to major attractions
2. Affordable housing options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The safety situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for singles. improving 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 Seattle, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
33 upvotes
Stella Kelly
preach
27 upvotes
Robert J.
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
18 upvotes
Vincent G.
I've lived in East for about 7 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 community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- The outdoor recreation scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
9 upvotes
Aria Morales
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great craft beer places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.