First post here. Been living here since 2007. Crime rate is something to consider -Norwalk sits at 33.7 per 100K. Poverty rate is 1.0%, which is pretty low. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. What would you do? The food scene here is surprisingly good.
6 upvotes
13 Replies
Julian Adams
facts
27 upvotes
oaklandlocal2026
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is community vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
25 upvotes
Jack R.
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in The Heights area are excellent. Kids love it here.
20 upvotes
Jacob C.
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Uptown area are tough. Kids love it here.
17 upvotes
Audrey Hall
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
17 upvotes
Abigail B.
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is cost of living. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
13 upvotes
Julia Scott
Bought a house here in 2023 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
12 upvotes
Leonardo Ortiz
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
11 upvotes
Lucas Kelly
bump
9 upvotes
Sophia Morales
following this thread
6 upvotes
tampamama2021
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Austin about 2 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Diverse dining options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are pricey, gas is improving.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
6 upvotes
Owen Jackson
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Hope this helps!.
4 upvotes
Ethan Wood
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in The Heights. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in finance. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
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