Hi all, I'm a teacher here and Crime rate is something to consider -Middletown sits at 208.0 per 100K. Homes are going for about $399,500 on average. It's a a small town city with about 24,071 people. You can expect to pay around $1,567 for rent here. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
0 upvotes
13 Replies
Luna Wilson
spot on
39 upvotes
Aubrey Hernandez
great question, following
39 upvotes
Aurora G.
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much manageable but now it's pretty good.
38 upvotes
Jonathan Johnson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 57, moved here 1 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in West and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The public transit situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 San Francisco, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K 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.
37 upvotes
Bennett
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 11 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
31 upvotes
Leah M.
yep
30 upvotes
Elena
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 5 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
24 upvotes
houstonlocal2020
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
17 upvotes
Evan Martin
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
14 upvotes
Emilia Hernandez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
10 upvotes
Aria Chavez
wish I knew this sooner
9 upvotes
Miles Ramirez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 36, moved here 3 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Greenfield and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The job market situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for young professionals. tough vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Charlotte, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
All Countries
