Anyone else feel this way? I'm a college student here and Household incomes average around $76,780 in Manchester. The unemployment rate is 3.7%, which is pretty low. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Is this normal for Manchester?
21 upvotes
7 Replies
Greyson Scott
Saving this thread
38 upvotes
Bella Mendoza
bump
20 upvotes
Aubrey Allen
Moved here from Houston about 12 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to outdoor recreation but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
16 upvotes
David Sanders
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The safety is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
8 upvotes
Isaiah Campbell
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Lakewood. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in engineering. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
3 upvotes
Maverick Long
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 Dallas for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2023 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. construction 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is improving - we have state parks 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 improving. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Dating scene is rough. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes
Julia H.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 6 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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