With a population of 13,223, Newton is a small town. Worth the trade-offs? There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
1 upvotes
14 Replies
Henry Baker
wish I knew this sooner
37 upvotes
mesalife2023
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 24, moved here 8 years ago from New York. I've lived in Riverside and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Property taxes are high
3. The public transit situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for families. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 New York, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$100K 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
wild_aaron73
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 50, moved here 13 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Sunset and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The housing market situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for retirees. underrated 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 Dallas, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K 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.
25 upvotes
Christian M.
good to know, thanks
24 upvotes
Jameson Jones
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 33, moved here 10 years ago from New York. I've lived in Springfield and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Can feel isolated
3. The traffic situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for families. solid vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 New York, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
24 upvotes
houstonkid2022
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the East side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
22 upvotes
Natalie W.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
21 upvotes
Caroline H.
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
17 upvotes
David Hill
This.
17 upvotes
Laura C.
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
10 upvotes
Wyatt Wright
Bought a house here in 2022 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone about the same since then.
9 upvotes
Skylar Reyes
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 58, moved here 1 years ago from Portland. I've lived in West and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The healthcare situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for families. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Portland, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K 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.
7 upvotes
Julian Phillips
I've lived in North for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of new development happening
- The traffic scene is tough
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. Definitely worth checking out..
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