Hey, Rent is about $1,465/month for a decent place. With a population of 115K, Manchester is a mid-size city. Crime rate is something to consider -Manchester sits at 600.6 per 100K. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Is this normal for Manchester? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up.
52 upvotes
13 Replies
santiago_lover
great question, following
39 upvotes
Sarah R.
exactly what I was thinking
36 upvotes
Kenneth P.
seconding this
36 upvotes
Julian Evans
literally same
35 upvotes
Asher Hall
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 25, moved here 9 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Downtown and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The food scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for retirees. tough 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 Chicago, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
30 upvotes
Sarah Brooks
seconding this
25 upvotes
Kevin S.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
24 upvotes
Eleanor
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
18 upvotes
Ava C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 13 years. Moved from Phoenix for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2021 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown schools are underrated. 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 traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
loving_roman38
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
10 upvotes
Ruby P.
I've lived in East for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong job market in several industries
- The walkability scene is improving
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
8 upvotes
Gabriel N.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in East. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Southern.
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