Anyone else feel this way? Been living here since 2005. Average temperature is around 58--F, so the weather is moderate. Household incomes average around $143,357 in Montclair. The weather takes some getting used to. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
2 upvotes
15 Replies
Katherine Reyes
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in The Heights. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in legal. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Hope this helps!.
37 upvotes
Oliver Collins
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely underrated and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
37 upvotes
Julia T.
bump
27 upvotes
Carter Hughes
as a local I can confirm
27 upvotes
Kai P.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely decent and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (North) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness 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.
23 upvotes
clara_papa
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Uptown. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
22 upvotes
Grace T.
Can confirm, been here 14 years.
17 upvotes
Carter Diaz
Used to live on the Downtown side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
16 upvotes
lake_naomi23
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. No regrets on my end..
15 upvotes
Caleb Rivera
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
15 upvotes
Aurora Walker
I've lived in Greenfield for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The community vibe scene is solid
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
15 upvotes
Landon Sanchez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 12 years. Moved from Seattle for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. North 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. Nightlife is limited. Limited shopping options. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
13 upvotes
Declan Reed
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 3 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
7 upvotes
nycchef2023
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Eastside area are solid. Kids love it here.
3 upvotes
Everett Collins
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 3 years. Moved from Seattle for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. East schools are better than expected. 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. Property taxes are high. Chain restaurants dominate. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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