Median household income is $113,513, which feels pretty solid for the area. Homes are going for about $554,800 on average. With a population of 16,882, New Milford is a small town. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Am I wrong here? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
13 upvotes
12 Replies
Eleanor Long
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 15 years. Moved from Dallas for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2017 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is improving - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Winters are long and cold. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Nolan L.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in The Heights. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like sushi.
No regrets on my end..
34 upvotes
Matthew R.
as a local I can confirm
33 upvotes
Serenity R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely excellent and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Westside) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
29 upvotes
Ian Foster
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Baltimore about 12 years ago. The main reasons were work and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are wild, gas is tough.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
22 upvotes
Sadie Long
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely better than expected and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
18 upvotes
Danielle R.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if healthcare matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
17 upvotes
David R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Downtown. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in education. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
No regrets on my end..
15 upvotes
Claire J.
I've lived in The Heights for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The cost of living scene is solid
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
14 upvotes
Stephanie G.
accurate
8 upvotes
Christina M.
this is the way
2 upvotes
Eva
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (West) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. safety 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.
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