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Madelyn Chavez
qa
Best restaurants in New Britain?
Random thought, Military spouse here. Median household income is $57,036, which feels about average for the area.
27 upvotes
29 Replies
John Carter
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 54, moved here 7 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Highland and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The traffic situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for singles. improving 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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 physical therapist, 54, moved here 7 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Highland and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The traffic situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for singles. improving 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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
Stella Roberts
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 29, moved here 11 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Lakewood and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The weather situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for retirees. excellent 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 Boston, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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 nurse, 29, moved here 11 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Lakewood and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The weather situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for retirees. excellent 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 Boston, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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
piper_runner
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
34 upvotes
Bennett Wilson
seconding this
32 upvotes
Isabella S.
I've lived in Riverside for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The weather scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Winters are long and cold
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Hope this helps!.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The weather scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Winters are long and cold
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Hope this helps!.
32 upvotes
Joseph Lee
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 12 years. Moved from Boston for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. finance 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:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. South schools are average. 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. Can feel isolated. Dating scene is rough. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in South for 12 years. Moved from Boston for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. finance 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:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. South schools are average. 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. Can feel isolated. Dating scene is rough. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
phoenix_gabriel
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. 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 real estate. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. 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 real estate. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
30 upvotes
Benjamin F.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Pine Hills. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in engineering. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Definitely worth checking out..
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Pine Hills. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in engineering. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Definitely worth checking out..
29 upvotes
Ryan Ruiz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 53, moved here 4 years ago from LA. I've lived in Eastside and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Can feel isolated
3. The outdoor recreation situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for retirees. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 LA, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K 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 marketing manager, 53, moved here 4 years ago from LA. I've lived in Eastside and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Can feel isolated
3. The outdoor recreation situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for retirees. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 LA, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K 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.
28 upvotes
Timothy E.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 49, moved here 9 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Limited shopping options
3. The food scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for singles. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Houston, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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 marketing manager, 49, moved here 9 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Limited shopping options
3. The food scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for singles. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Houston, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
24 upvotes
George P.
this is the way
22 upvotes
Adrian Lewis
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much wild but now it's challenging.
16 upvotes
Sophie Chavez
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.
16 upvotes
Lydia Carter
I work in engineering here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is improving. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
15 upvotes
Angel Wood
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
13 upvotes
Maya Reyes
great question, following
12 upvotes
Katherine G.
good to know, thanks
11 upvotes
Aaliyah M.
I'm a accountant and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
11 upvotes
Adam
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is public transit. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
10 upvotes
mesakid2023
I've lived in Fairview for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Strong job market in several industries
- The pet-friendliness scene is average
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Definitely worth checking out..
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Strong job market in several industries
- The pet-friendliness scene is average
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Definitely worth checking out..
10 upvotes
Sarah Watson
couldn't agree more
9 upvotes
Natalie Hughes
Moved here from Phoenix about 8 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to cost of living but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
8 upvotes
Wesley A.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
8 upvotes
Ethan Wilson
this is the way
7 upvotes
Alexander Ortiz
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from New York about 15 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are wild, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from New York about 15 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are wild, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
4 upvotes
Nova Patel
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
4 upvotes
Wyatt Ruiz
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Houston about 11 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Active local events and festivals
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are stable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Hope this helps!.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Houston about 11 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Active local events and festivals
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are stable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Hope this helps!.
4 upvotes
Genesis Rodriguez
nah I disagree
2 upvotes
connor_soul
underrated comment
0 upvotes