Considering New Canaan vs Nashville -help me decide
Curious what people think. It's a a small town city with about 7,032 people. You can expect to pay around $3,501 for rent here. Homes are going for about $1,115,600 on average. Crime rate is something to consider -New Canaan sits at 9.9 per 100K. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Thoughts? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The weather takes some getting used to. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
9 upvotes
6 Replies
Wesley D.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Greenfield. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in government. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
39 upvotes
wild_logan9
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 44, moved here 5 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Riverside and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The pet-friendliness situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for couples. improving vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 pricey. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K 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.
35 upvotes
Caroline Thompson
nah I disagree
25 upvotes
Audrey Evans
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great sushi places. it's been a really good experience overall.
25 upvotes
Adam Sanders
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
20 upvotes
Roman H.
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.