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Benjamin Cook
best-worst
What surprised you most about Merrick?
Not sure if this has been asked before, but Crime rate is something to consider -Merrick sits at 119.
10 upvotes
15 Replies
Willow Castillo
The food scene here is average. Tons of great Korean places. it's been a really good experience overall.
35 upvotes
Connor Jones
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Asian places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
34 upvotes
Teresa M.
I've lived in South for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Four distinct seasons
- The healthcare scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Four distinct seasons
- The healthcare scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
34 upvotes
Roman Gomez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 30, moved here 1 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Cedar Grove and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited entertainment options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The community vibe situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for singles. underrated vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Raleigh, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K 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 HR manager, 30, moved here 1 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Cedar Grove and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited entertainment options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The community vibe situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for singles. underrated vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Raleigh, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K 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
bostonlocal2021
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
25 upvotes
Nora Price
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 15 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
I've been here 15 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
24 upvotes
Dominic W.
lol so true
23 upvotes
Aaron P.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
21 upvotes
Lucas Moore
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
20 upvotes
Grayson White
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Pine Hills. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in marketing. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
No regrets on my end..
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Pine Hills. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in marketing. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
No regrets on my end..
19 upvotes
Carter
following this thread
17 upvotes
minneapolis_robert
noted, appreciate it
12 upvotes
Maya Robinson
Saving this thread
6 upvotes
Ella Edwards
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
1 upvotes
Lillian W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 12 years. Moved from Atlanta for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview schools are decent. 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. Nightlife is limited. Road conditions need improvement. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Fairview for 12 years. Moved from Atlanta for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview schools are decent. 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. Nightlife is limited. Road conditions need improvement. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
0 upvotes