Hey, I'm a remote worker and Crime rate is something to consider -McLean sits at 130.5 per 100K. With a population of 50,232, McLean is a smaller city. The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
4 upvotes
15 Replies
Genesis
as a local I can confirm
39 upvotes
Nicholas G.
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
38 upvotes
Naomi M.
lol so true
36 upvotes
Victoria Murphy
seconding this
29 upvotes
desert_jose87
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to LA it's improving.
27 upvotes
Levi Gonzalez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
26 upvotes
Carter Gomez
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 improving and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Old Town) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job 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.
24 upvotes
Eva Turner
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
24 upvotes
Benjamin Roberts
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if weather matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
19 upvotes
Kinsley P.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
19 upvotes
Emilia
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
14 upvotes
Nolan Long
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 56, moved here 14 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The safety situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: 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 Boston, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
6 upvotes
Eli R.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
4 upvotes
Katherine Cox
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Miami about 5 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are reasonable, gas is underrated.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
2 upvotes
cool_daniel95
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 35, moved here 9 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Highland and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Limited shopping options
3. The cultural scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Seattle, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
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