Should I move to Mount Vernon or stay in New York?
With a population of 72,528, Mount Vernon is a smaller city. The unemployment rate is 4.5%, which is about average. Average temperature is around 56--F, so the weather is moderate. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up. What do you all think? Appreciate any input. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The weather takes some getting used to. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The city has invested a lot in new development. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
3 upvotes
20 Replies
Arianna
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely underrated and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit 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.
30 upvotes
Ezekiel Turner
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 15 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
30 upvotes
Lauren T.
bump
29 upvotes
Violet R.
been saying this for years
28 upvotes
Willow Phillips
facts
26 upvotes
Raymond M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 6 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
23 upvotes
Gabriel Reed
I work in real estate here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is tough. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
23 upvotes
Sofia
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Highland. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
20 upvotes
Alexander M.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Houston it's decent.
16 upvotes
Declan B.
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Thai places. it's been a really good experience overall.
16 upvotes
Amelia Campbell
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
14 upvotes
minneapolisgirl2023
wish I knew this sooner
12 upvotes
jaxlife2026
big facts right here
12 upvotes
Charlotte Lewis
good to know, thanks
7 upvotes
Julian Gomez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
5 upvotes
Jameson Miller
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 7 years. Moved from Charlotte for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Cedar Grove 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. Limited high-paying job options. Homeless population growing downtown. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Hazel Richardson
I work in retail here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is challenging. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
4 upvotes
Joseph Rogers
good to know, thanks
2 upvotes
Isaac Gutierrez
Bought a house here in 2021 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
2 upvotes
Adrian Allen
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (East) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
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