Hey folks, Poverty rate is 41.2%, which is higher than I expected. Household incomes average around $49,095 in Monsey. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
6 upvotes
27 Replies
Andrew
exactly what I was thinking
39 upvotes
Violet F.
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much competitive but now it's excellent.
36 upvotes
Easton Harris
as a local I can confirm
35 upvotes
Stella Taylor
lol so true
35 upvotes
Grayson Moore
I work in real estate here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is improving. Happy to answer more specific questions..
33 upvotes
urban_brooklyn15
spot on
31 upvotes
Evan Price
Came here for cost of living and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The job market is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
29 upvotes
Mateo Ramos
noted, appreciate it
28 upvotes
Eliana
couldn't agree more
27 upvotes
Valentina Anderson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 3 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are surprisingly good. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Bugs and humidity in summer. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Aubrey Kelly
I've lived in Old Town 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 Seattle, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
- The weather scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Feel free to reach out with questions..
25 upvotes
Cora
Saving this thread
24 upvotes
Jaxon Lopez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 15 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
22 upvotes
Kinsley G.
Moved here from New York about 10 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to public transit but Good luck with whatever you decide..
18 upvotes
vegas_aurora
+1
17 upvotes
Eva Ross
Came here for family and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The housing market is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
16 upvotes
Greyson Reed
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 3 years. Moved from LA for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown schools are hit or miss. 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. Far from beaches/mountains. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Brooklyn Johnson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely hit or miss and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Uptown) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
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.
12 upvotes
Aurora James
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
11 upvotes
Camila R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Denver about 5 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Active local events and festivals
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Can feel isolated
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 competitive, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Feel free to reach out with questions..
8 upvotes
Nora Robinson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 8 years. Moved from Boston for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Greenfield schools are improving. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Far from beaches/mountains. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Olivia Clark
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 41, moved here 3 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Springfield and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Low crime in most neighborhoods
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The healthcare situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for remote workers. 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 average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K 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.
7 upvotes
alexa_vibes
I've lived in South for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of new development happening
- The cost of living scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
6 upvotes
Emilia W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 15 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into running, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
6 upvotes
Sarah Cruz
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great seafood places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
2 upvotes
Aurora
Came here for weather and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The cost of living is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
0 upvotes
Dylan James
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Nashville it's average.
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