Just moved here 8 months ago and With a population of 101K, New Bedford is a mid-size city. Household incomes average around $56,025 in New Bedford. The suburbs are where most families end up. Worth the trade-offs? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
13 upvotes
20 Replies
Camila Peterson
exactly what I was thinking
40 upvotes
Silas Stewart
hard disagree but ok
40 upvotes
Mia Allen
Moved here last year, no regrets.
38 upvotes
Randy S.
not my experience at all
35 upvotes
Dylan K.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is walkability. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
35 upvotes
Sebastian Roberts
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely better than expected and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
33 upvotes
Sophia Diaz
interesting, hadn't considered that
26 upvotes
mesa_luke
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
26 upvotes
Cameron Rogers
as a local I can confirm
26 upvotes
Leonardo Collins
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Happy to answer more specific questions..
25 upvotes
Stella Gray
yeah no that's not right
25 upvotes
Hudson Smith
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 27, moved here 15 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Close to major attractions
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The job market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for young professionals. solid 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 Chicago, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
23 upvotes
Melanie
great question, following
22 upvotes
Greyson G.
glad someone said it
21 upvotes
gabriella_native
+1
21 upvotes
John T.
facts
15 upvotes
Riley M.
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- The school system scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Happy to answer more specific questions..
11 upvotes
Colton Hill
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
6 upvotes
Valentina Thomas
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Riverside. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in construction. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Hope this helps!.
4 upvotes
Hailey B.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is excellent in most areas.
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