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Matthew Anderson
housing
Is it worth buying in Old Bridge?
Hi all, Born and raised here. You can expect to pay around $1,426 for rent here.
8 upvotes
16 Replies
Olivia Edwards
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 31, moved here 10 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The nightlife situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for singles. decent vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Miami, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K 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 chef, 31, moved here 10 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The nightlife situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for singles. decent vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Miami, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K 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.
38 upvotes
Reagan
Totally agree!
36 upvotes
Joshua Gonzalez
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Riverside area are decent. Kids love it here.
34 upvotes
Brooks
good to know, thanks
29 upvotes
Matthew
accurate
26 upvotes
native_gabriella15
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Springfield. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in retail. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Springfield. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in retail. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
21 upvotes
Luna Rivera
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if weather matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
19 upvotes
Nora L.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to LA it's pretty good.
19 upvotes
Leah T.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 15 years. Moved from Chicago for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. legal 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 been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is improving - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset schools are better than expected. 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. Limited shopping options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Sunset for 15 years. Moved from Chicago for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. legal 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 been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is improving - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset schools are better than expected. 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. Limited shopping options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
milwaukeekid2020
been saying this for years
12 upvotes
Mason
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is traffic. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
11 upvotes
Emma Edwards
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 3 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
I've been here 3 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
9 upvotes
Leonardo Young
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The nightlife scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The nightlife scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
9 upvotes
parker_native
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Minneapolis about 4 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of new development happening
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are developing, gas is tough.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
I'm a chef who relocated here from Minneapolis about 4 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of new development happening
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are developing, gas is tough.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
7 upvotes
Douglas R.
seconding this
2 upvotes
Ian H.
yep
1 upvotes