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Ava Nguyen living

Why I chose Oneida over bigger cities

Curious what people think. I'm a college student here and Median household income is $60,380, which feels about average for the area. Homes are going for about $146,300 on average. It's a a small town city with about 10,240 people. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.

Pros:
- Low crime in most areas
- Good schools
- Diverse community
- Lots of new development
- Active local events

Cons:
- Limited nightlife
- Sprawl everywhere
- Not very walkable
- Mosquitoes and humidity
What neighborhoods would you suggest? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
0 upvotes

10 Replies

Emma Johnson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
29 upvotes
Daniel S.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a electrician, 57, moved here 12 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The food scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Diego, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K here.

**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
28 upvotes
Carter C.
this is the way
26 upvotes
indy_mason
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Greenfield area are decent. Kids love it here.
17 upvotes
Cora Campbell
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.

I've been here 7 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is hit or miss.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Would recommend to anyone considering it..
17 upvotes
Natalie Myers
yeah no that's not right
13 upvotes
Katherine P.
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much manageable but now it's underrated.
12 upvotes
Benjamin
Came here for weather and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor recreation is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
11 upvotes
Aiden S.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
7 upvotes
Cooper Jimenez
thanks for sharing
3 upvotes
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