Anyone else feel this way? Been living here since 2012. Household incomes average around $82,806 in Ontario. The suburbs are where most families end up. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Let me know your thoughts. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
13 upvotes
22 Replies
Joseph
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Boston about 12 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are competitive, gas is improving.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
40 upvotes
Melanie Phillips
I work in retail here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Hope this helps!.
38 upvotes
Emilia W.
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great farm-to-table places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
38 upvotes
Paisley Stewart
Came here for cost of living and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The cost of living is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
34 upvotes
Luke
Can confirm, been here 8 years.
34 upvotes
Weston Gomez
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
34 upvotes
Jace C.
been saying this for years
30 upvotes
Eleanor L.
I'm a teacher and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
24 upvotes
Joshua Ruiz
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Highland) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
23 upvotes
Sebastian
thanks for sharing
21 upvotes
Allison Ortiz
seconding this
21 upvotes
Nova C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 51, moved here 7 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Pine Hills and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The pet-friendliness situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for young professionals. average vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Nashville, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
17 upvotes
Joseph Perez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 7 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
17 upvotes
Lucy Nelson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Pine Hills. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
17 upvotes
Wesley Gonzalez
Saving this thread
9 upvotes
boston_cooper
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 11 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
9 upvotes
David Young
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 12 years. Moved from Chicago for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are pretty good. 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. Nightlife is limited. Limited shopping options. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Wesley Walker
hard disagree but ok
7 upvotes
Lydia J.
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
5 upvotes
Theodore Lewis
accurate
3 upvotes
columbus_aaron
seconding this
3 upvotes
Ariana Kelly
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
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