Should I move to New Rochelle or stay in Portland?
So, We have two kids and Crime rate is something to consider -New Rochelle sits at 124.2 per 100K. The unemployment rate is 3.9%, which is pretty low. It's a a smaller city city with about 81,591 people. Rent is about $1,830/month for a decent place. The suburbs are where most families end up. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. What do you all think? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
25 upvotes
16 Replies
Noah S.
glad someone said it
38 upvotes
Harper James
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 35, moved here 5 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Midtown and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The public transit situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for retirees. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K 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.
36 upvotes
Andrew
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Salt Lake City it's challenging.
33 upvotes
Bella W.
yep
32 upvotes
Sophie Cooper
good to know, thanks
22 upvotes
piper_kid
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Riverside. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in retail. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Indian.
No regrets on my end..
22 upvotes
Eric C.
Moved here from Nashville about 12 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to weather but Happy to answer more specific questions..
19 upvotes
Katherine Hernandez
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. dating scene used to be much pricey but now it's improving.
18 upvotes
Samuel M.
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. weather used to be much stable but now it's decent.
14 upvotes
Santiago Lopez
facts
10 upvotes
Jacob
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is decent in most areas.
9 upvotes
Waylon Thompson
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The food scene is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
5 upvotes
Benjamin L.
I've lived in Eastside for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Four distinct seasons
- The school system scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Good luck with whatever you decide..
4 upvotes
Parker T.
100%
2 upvotes
Robert Clark
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely better than expected and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (West) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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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