Been meaning to ask this. I'm a remote worker and Crime rate is something to consider -Mastic Beach sits at 22.0 per 100K. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. What do you all think? Looking forward to hearing from you all. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
5 upvotes
7 Replies
Nevaeh Carter
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in The Heights. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in legal. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
35 upvotes
benjamin_runner
I work in legal here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is decent. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
35 upvotes
Ryan S.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 45, moved here 12 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in East and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Close to major attractions
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The pet-friendliness situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for remote workers. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Baltimore, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$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.
32 upvotes
charlotte_robert
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely challenging and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
26 upvotes
Hannah Torres
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
24 upvotes
Piper W.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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