New York quality of life — am I missing something?
With a population of 8.5M, New York is a major city. Crime rate is something to consider — New York sits at 570.7 per 100K. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Should I be concerned? The suburbs are where most families end up.
17 upvotes
27 Replies
Maverick Baker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Raleigh about 13 years ago. The main reasons were family and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Limited entertainment options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are pricey, gas is challenging.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Happy to answer more specific questions..
40 upvotes
Wyatt G.
hard disagree but ok
35 upvotes
Kayden B.
lol so true
35 upvotes
Adrian W.
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Greenfield area are average. Kids love it here.
34 upvotes
Sophia
noted, appreciate it
33 upvotes
Jace Brooks
I've lived in North for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- The housing market scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Good luck with whatever you decide..
31 upvotes
Adrian M.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
28 upvotes
ariana_kid
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
27 upvotes
Alexa Ramirez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
26 upvotes
christian_girl
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.
26 upvotes
Hunter Diaz
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
25 upvotes
Dylan P.
haha yep pretty much
25 upvotes
Nolan
Bought a house here in 2021 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone about the same since then.
25 upvotes
loving_cooper63
underrated comment
24 upvotes
Michelle C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 7 years. Moved from Dallas for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is solid - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are decent. 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. Winters are long and cold. Not very walkable outside downtown. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Benjamin Lee
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Nashville about 1 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are growing, gas is excellent.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Good luck with whatever you decide..
20 upvotes
Aaliyah Reed
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 15 years ago. The main reasons were work and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are manageable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. No regrets on my end..
20 upvotes
Bruce W.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
18 upvotes
Elijah
great question, following
18 upvotes
Zoe Martin
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Nashville about 5 years ago. The main reasons were family and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are stable, gas is decent.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. No regrets on my end..
15 upvotes
denvernative2023
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is excellent in most areas.
13 upvotes
Elijah Morgan
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 2 years. Moved from New York for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have ski resorts 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 improving. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Chain restaurants dominate. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Wesley S.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 5 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are tough. 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. Winters are long and cold. Property taxes are high. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Quinn Jackson
I work in consulting here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is solid. Definitely worth checking out..
7 upvotes
Abigail M.
seconding this
5 upvotes
Allison
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
2 upvotes
Easton Rodriguez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 9 years. Moved from Portland for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are challenging. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Limited entertainment options. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
All Countries
