Homes are going for about $174,100 on average. With a population of 50,393, Newark is a smaller city. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Would love some local perspective.
12 upvotes
11 Replies
alexander_kid
Saving this thread
37 upvotes
Matthew Perez
I work in retail here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is solid. Feel free to reach out with questions..
32 upvotes
Anna
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 38, moved here 12 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Downtown and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited entertainment options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The pet-friendliness situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for couples. solid vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Miami, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K 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.
30 upvotes
Jacob Thomas
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Riverside area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
27 upvotes
Bella Smith
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Minneapolis 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 Westside. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
26 upvotes
coastal_clara80
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Lakewood. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in education. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
25 upvotes
Aria M.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
18 upvotes
miamilife2026
been saying this for years
18 upvotes
Heather P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 36, moved here 7 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Riverside and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Property taxes are high
3. The housing market situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for retirees. 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K 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.
10 upvotes
Hudson
facts
9 upvotes
Delilah M.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely underrated and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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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