Born and raised here. With a population of 6,179, Old Bethpage is a small town. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Thoughts? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
11 upvotes
12 Replies
Kaylee Peterson
preach
37 upvotes
Gabriel Smith
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 45, moved here 5 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Uptown and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The pet-friendliness situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for couples. decent 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 Raleigh, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K 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.
36 upvotes
Alice
spot on
26 upvotes
Kenneth C.
honestly same experience here
25 upvotes
Leo Wilson
I've lived in Uptown for about 14 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 San Diego, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Active local events and festivals
- Affordable housing options
- The healthcare scene is decent
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Jeremiah Brown
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 13 years. Moved from Denver for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Riverside schools are excellent. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Limited entertainment options. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Evan B.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
16 upvotes
Michael L.
great question, following
13 upvotes
Nolan Collins
Saving this thread
12 upvotes
Audrey Jimenez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
11 upvotes
Anna A.
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 4 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 New York, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Active local events and festivals
- The weather scene is tough
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. No regrets on my end..
7 upvotes
Aaron Walker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Westside. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in construction. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like seafood.
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