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Joseph T.
housing
Cost of living reality check -New London
Curious what people think. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Worth the trade-offs? Thanks in advance!
5 upvotes
13 Replies
Levi
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 39, moved here 8 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Sunset and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The cultural scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for remote workers. average vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Tampa, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K 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, 39, moved here 8 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Sunset and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The cultural scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for remote workers. average vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Tampa, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K 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.
40 upvotes
Waylon T.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 13 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
I've been here 13 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
39 upvotes
Matthew Mitchell
Bought a house here in 2015 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
29 upvotes
Cooper Young
I've lived in North for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Decent public transit for the size
- The food scene scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited public transit options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Hope this helps!.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Decent public transit for the size
- The food scene scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited public transit options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Hope this helps!.
27 upvotes
Valentina Lopez
Used to live on the Oak Park side, now on the Cedar Grove side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
26 upvotes
Ruth M.
been saying this for years
24 upvotes
Ella O.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
20 upvotes
Anna
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from LA about 9 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good internet infrastructure
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are established, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Happy to answer more specific questions..
I'm a nurse who relocated here from LA about 9 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good internet infrastructure
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are established, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Happy to answer more specific questions..
19 upvotes
Andrew E.
as a local I can confirm
15 upvotes
Olivia Torres
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
10 upvotes
Olivia K.
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community vibe is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
6 upvotes
Julian B.
Moved here from Tampa about 9 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to weather but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
0 upvotes
Waylon
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The healthcare is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
0 upvotes