With a population of 10,366, Northampton is a small town. The unemployment rate is 2.1%, which is pretty low. The city has invested a lot in new development. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Am I wrong here? Any help is appreciated. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
15 upvotes
13 Replies
Lillian Wright
I've lived in East for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good healthcare facilities
- The traffic scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Limited shopping options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Good luck with whatever you decide..
39 upvotes
Addison Reyes
Moved here from Pittsburgh about 8 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Feel free to reach out with questions..
30 upvotes
Sofia
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good airport with direct flights
- The school system scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Definitely worth checking out..
26 upvotes
Valentina Smith
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Downtown. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in engineering. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
24 upvotes
Michael K.
I'm a physical therapist and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
16 upvotes
Peyton Rogers
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
14 upvotes
Xavier Wright
underrated comment
12 upvotes
Hazel Hill
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 6 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
10 upvotes
atl_silas
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
8 upvotes
Jack Wright
big facts right here
6 upvotes
Allison Brooks
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if cultural scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
6 upvotes
Emmett Torres
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 13 years. Moved from Baltimore for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2015 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. marketing 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:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is average - 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 solid. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Bugs and humidity in summer. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes
Melanie Morgan
I've lived in The Heights for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Close to major attractions
- The cultural scene scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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