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Unpopular opinion about Montclair
Thanks! It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
2 upvotes
13 Replies
Robert Y.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 35, moved here 10 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Sunset and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Property taxes are high
3. The public transit situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for retirees. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K 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.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 35, moved here 10 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Sunset and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Property taxes are high
3. The public transit situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for retirees. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K 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.
40 upvotes
Aiden Hughes
it depends on the neighborhood
39 upvotes
Amelia Hill
noted, appreciate it
39 upvotes
Weston Hughes
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Lakewood. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in government. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Lakewood. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in government. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
37 upvotes
Hannah Patel
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Midtown. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Midtown. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
35 upvotes
Eliana Walker
haha yep pretty much
34 upvotes
Zoey Patel
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
34 upvotes
Leonardo Ramirez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 12 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
I've been here 12 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
28 upvotes
Kenneth R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely average and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (South) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely average and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (South) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
25 upvotes
Sadie Patel
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
23 upvotes
Victoria Smith
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the Westside side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
19 upvotes
Zoe Rodriguez
it depends on the neighborhood
6 upvotes
Piper A.
this is the way
4 upvotes