Hey everyone, Rent is about $743/month for a decent place. Average temperature is around 46--F, so expect cold winters. Crime rate is something to consider -Manchester sits at 201.7 per 100K. You can expect to pay around $743 for rent here. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Am I overthinking this? Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
14 upvotes
10 Replies
Matthew Stewart
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
38 upvotes
Willow
yeah no that's not right
34 upvotes
Samuel Gonzalez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 51, moved here 8 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Fairview and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Affordable housing options
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The walkability situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K 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.
22 upvotes
everly_local
I'm a pharmacist and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
18 upvotes
Sophia Murphy
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
18 upvotes
Hudson Reyes
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
18 upvotes
Alexa Walker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 25, moved here 15 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Springfield and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The nightlife situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Atlanta, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K 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.
12 upvotes
Mateo Baker
this is the way
10 upvotes
Leah
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
5 upvotes
Skylar Evans
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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