Not sure if this has been asked before, but My partner and I are With a population of 53,043, Methuen Town is a smaller city. You can expect to pay around $1,610 for rent here. Crime rate is something to consider -Methuen Town sits at 187.3 per 100K. Household incomes average around $103,270 in Methuen Town. Poverty rate is 5.8%, which is pretty low. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
Pros:
- Low crime in most areas
- Low taxes
- Easy commute
- Walkable downtown
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons:
- Hot summers
- Limited dining options
- Lack of diversity
- Limited cultural events
It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. 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 food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The weather takes some getting used to.
28 upvotes
29 Replies
Landon Morgan
this is the way
40 upvotes
Miles Ramos
yep
39 upvotes
Asher Rodriguez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Boston about 5 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good schools in most areas
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are pricey, gas is underrated.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Definitely worth checking out..
38 upvotes
Waylon H.
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
38 upvotes
Sophia E.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 25, moved here 10 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Low crime in most neighborhoods
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The school system situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for young professionals. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
36 upvotes
river_axel20
haha yep pretty much
34 upvotes
Everly Myers
not my experience at all
33 upvotes
Greyson Sanchez
Used to live on the Lakewood side, now on the Highland side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
33 upvotes
Roman G.
haha yep pretty much
28 upvotes
Joshua A.
I've lived in East for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
- The weather scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
27 upvotes
Jacob Murphy
same here
22 upvotes
Julian Miller
Used to live on the Old Town side, now on the North side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
21 upvotes
wild_kaylee6
Saving this thread
18 upvotes
Alexa P.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 3 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into running, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
17 upvotes
Ava B.
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
16 upvotes
Ezra Howard
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
15 upvotes
Natalie Patel
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
14 upvotes
James H.
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The healthcare is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
13 upvotes
Cora Garcia
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
12 upvotes
Gabriella M.
thanks for sharing
11 upvotes
Kai Hall
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely solid and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
9 upvotes
Adrian Nelson
I've lived in Sunset 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 Tampa, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Active local events and festivals
- The pet-friendliness scene is average
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
6 upvotes
portland_nolan
glad someone said it
6 upvotes
charlottelover2020
hmm interesting perspective
5 upvotes
Audrey Torres
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 49, moved here 3 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Westside and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The school system situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for remote workers. hit or miss 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 Austin, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
4 upvotes
Hudson Peterson
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
3 upvotes
sophia_girl
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is dating scene. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
2 upvotes
Valentina Mendoza
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Portland it's hit or miss.
1 upvotes
Ellie Brooks
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if healthcare matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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