Random thought, With a population of 6,900, Oyster Bay is a small town. Average temperature is around 56--F, so the weather is moderate. Poverty rate is 7.7%, which is pretty low. Crime rate is something to consider -Oyster Bay sits at 22.0 per 100K. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
8 upvotes
15 Replies
Ezra Martinez
hmm interesting perspective
38 upvotes
Patrick G.
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
38 upvotes
Miles T.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 53, moved here 3 years ago from Boston. I've lived in East and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Limited shopping options
3. The walkability situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Boston, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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
atl_isaac
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
35 upvotes
Wesley James
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 51, moved here 9 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Lakewood and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Can feel isolated
3. The cultural scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for remote workers. decent vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Phoenix, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
33 upvotes
Thomas
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 12 years. Moved from Austin for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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. marketing 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:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is improving - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are average. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Dating scene is rough. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Aaron C.
facts
23 upvotes
Jackson H.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in West. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
20 upvotes
Hannah Chavez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is challenging in most areas.
20 upvotes
Carter
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
11 upvotes
Nora Green
I work in tech here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is solid. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
4 upvotes
Hailey A.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 8 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
0 upvotes
ian_lover
interesting, hadn't considered that
0 upvotes
Savannah
been saying this for years
0 upvotes
Alice Jackson
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
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