Look, I love New York, but let's be real about the downsides:
Traffic can be bad during rush hour
Winters are harsh
Crime in certain neighborhoods is a real concern
Don't get me wrong, it's still a great place overall. But people should know what they're getting into.
10 upvotes
7 Replies
Ronald S.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 49, moved here 14 years ago from LA. I've lived in North and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Close to major attractions
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The public transit situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for couples. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 LA, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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
Delilah Williams
Saving this thread
30 upvotes
Kaylee R.
Bought a house here in 2023 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
25 upvotes
Aurora R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 26, moved here 12 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Fairview and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The nightlife situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for young professionals. improving 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 Nashville, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
21 upvotes
Melanie Howard
Bought a house here in 2017 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
16 upvotes
Megan C.
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Indian places. the quality of life is solid.
15 upvotes
Aiden P.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 10 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Four distinct seasons
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are affordable, gas is underrated.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Happy to answer more specific questions..
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