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Skylar Rivera
housing
Cost of living reality check -McKees Rocks
You can expect to pay around $933 for rent here. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
2 upvotes
5 Replies
elijah_vibes
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 34, moved here 11 years ago from New York. I've lived in Riverside and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The safety situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for remote workers. improving vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 New York, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 34, moved here 11 years ago from New York. I've lived in Riverside and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The safety situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for remote workers. improving vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 New York, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
29 upvotes
Claire Sanders
I'm a writer and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
24 upvotes
Naomi
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely average and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Limited entertainment options.
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.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely average and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Limited entertainment options.
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.
21 upvotes
Cameron Clark
Came here for family and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
14 upvotes
Joshua M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Miami about 4 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are reasonable, gas is improving.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Miami about 4 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are reasonable, gas is improving.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
5 upvotes