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Piper W.
moving
Couple moving to Norristown from out of state
Hello, Would love some local perspective. Property taxes are high but you get good servi
23 upvotes
29 Replies
Kayden S.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
38 upvotes
Brielle Garcia
accurate
36 upvotes
Ezekiel Lopez
The food scene here is average. Tons of great sushi places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
35 upvotes
Allison Watson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 34, moved here 3 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Westside and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The pet-friendliness situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
Background: I'm a social worker, 34, moved here 3 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Westside and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The pet-friendliness situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
32 upvotes
Adam Garcia
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Downtown. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in construction. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Downtown. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in construction. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
31 upvotes
Delilah M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from San Diego about 13 years ago. The main reasons were school and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Decent public transit for the size
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are growing, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Feel free to reach out with questions..
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from San Diego about 13 years ago. The main reasons were school and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Decent public transit for the size
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are growing, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Feel free to reach out with questions..
30 upvotes
Brian E.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 9 years. Moved from Miami for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is decent - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town 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. Homeless population growing downtown. Far from beaches/mountains. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Old Town for 9 years. Moved from Miami for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is decent - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town 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. Homeless population growing downtown. Far from beaches/mountains. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Kenneth R.
+1
30 upvotes
mesa_hunter
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 4 years. Moved from Atlanta for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2024 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
consulting 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 been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. Eastside 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. Property taxes are high. Chain restaurants dominate. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Eastside for 4 years. Moved from Atlanta for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2024 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
consulting 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 been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. Eastside 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. Property taxes are high. Chain restaurants dominate. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
raised_ezra68
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 54, moved here 12 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Uptown and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The job market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for singles. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Baltimore, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K 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.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 54, moved here 12 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Uptown and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The job market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for singles. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Baltimore, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K 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.
29 upvotes
Ellie Hughes
I work in government here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is excellent. Feel free to reach out with questions..
28 upvotes
Sadie Nelson
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
28 upvotes
Nicholas Hall
interesting, hadn't considered that
28 upvotes
Maya Morris
Moved here last year, no regrets.
28 upvotes
Ariana James
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in The Heights. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in retail. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Italian.
No regrets on my end..
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in The Heights. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in retail. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Italian.
No regrets on my end..
28 upvotes
Skylar Cox
Moved here last year, no regrets.
21 upvotes
Ann G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 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 3-bed in North. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in consulting. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in North. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in consulting. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
19 upvotes
Deborah J.
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
18 upvotes
Tyler M.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to LA it's hit or miss.
15 upvotes
Ezekiel Cooper
Totally agree!
14 upvotes
Silas Bennett
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is underrated in most areas.
12 upvotes
Theodore
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Seattle about 6 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are developing, gas is excellent.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. No regrets on my end..
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Seattle about 6 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are developing, gas is excellent.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. No regrets on my end..
12 upvotes
Mateo Richardson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 29, moved here 15 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The nightlife situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for couples. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 San Francisco, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
Background: I'm a electrician, 29, moved here 15 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The nightlife situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for couples. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 San Francisco, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
12 upvotes
Aria Robinson
Moved here from Baltimore about 7 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to housing market but No regrets on my end..
11 upvotes
Owen L.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 33, moved here 7 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Springfield and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Bugs and humidity in summer
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The walkability situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for young professionals. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$130K 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.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 33, moved here 7 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Springfield and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Bugs and humidity in summer
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The walkability situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for young professionals. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$130K 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.
10 upvotes
Liam Peterson
exactly what I was thinking
9 upvotes
Hudson Jimenez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 34, moved here 11 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The outdoor recreation situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Tampa, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 34, moved here 11 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The outdoor recreation situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Tampa, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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
Ethan Williams
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 5 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
I've been here 5 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
7 upvotes
bostonmama2026
glad someone said it
1 upvotes