Hey everyone, My partner and I are Crime rate is something to consider -Paramus sits at 166.3 per 100K. It's a a smaller city city with about 26,500 people. Homes are going for about $736,000 on average. Average temperature is around 55--F, so the weather is moderate. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The weather takes some getting used to. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
3 upvotes
9 Replies
Reagan M.
Can confirm, been here 11 years.
34 upvotes
Adeline Cook
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 4 years. Moved from Atlanta for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights 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 high-paying job options. Chain restaurants dominate. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Madeline Martinez
I've lived in Uptown for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The dating scene scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
29 upvotes
Alexander Thomas
exactly what I was thinking
28 upvotes
Landon Cox
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Korean places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
28 upvotes
Thomas Gutierrez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 51, moved here 11 years ago from LA. I've lived in Pine Hills and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The housing market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for singles. better than expected 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 LA, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
23 upvotes
Melanie
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely excellent and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Sunset) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Homeless population growing downtown.
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.
21 upvotes
Lucas Mendoza
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 8 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
20 upvotes
Maverick F.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Chicago about 4 years ago. The main reasons were school and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are developing, gas is underrated.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Feel free to reach out with questions..
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