Random thought, Rent is about $1,392/month for a decent place. Crime rate is something to consider -Passaic sits at 529.9 per 100K. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up. Looking forward to hearing from you all. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The weather takes some getting used to. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The city has invested a lot in new development. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
21 upvotes
29 Replies
Sadie Bailey
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Chicago about 7 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are competitive, gas is challenging.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Good luck with whatever you decide..
40 upvotes
Weston
nah I disagree
38 upvotes
Jacob T.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Midtown. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in retail. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
37 upvotes
Evan Nguyen
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
37 upvotes
Eliana Gomez
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 1 years. Moved from Boston for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is average - we have national forests 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 underrated. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Homeless population growing downtown. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Adam Miller
same here
35 upvotes
Jose Rivera
spot on
33 upvotes
born_joseph43
it depends on the neighborhood
33 upvotes
Declan Morgan
exactly what I was thinking
31 upvotes
Easton G.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to LA it's challenging.
29 upvotes
Ethan
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely solid and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (West) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside 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.
29 upvotes
Joshua R.
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
28 upvotes
Gabriella Roberts
I work in retail here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is better than expected. Good luck with whatever you decide..
25 upvotes
Zoey Cook
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
23 upvotes
Julie R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from San Francisco about 13 years ago. The main reasons were family and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good healthcare facilities
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are competitive, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
22 upvotes
Isaiah Cooper
I've lived in Springfield for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Decent public transit for the size
- The walkability scene is tough
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
21 upvotes
Jeremiah
Can confirm, been here 14 years.
19 upvotes
Aria Thompson
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great BBQ places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
19 upvotes
Skylar Kim
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Austin about 9 years ago. The main reasons were family and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are growing, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. No regrets on my end..
17 upvotes
Evan
not my experience at all
17 upvotes
Samuel Lewis
nah I disagree
13 upvotes
Isla Lopez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 26, moved here 10 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Riverside and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The pet-friendliness situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for young professionals. excellent 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 Raleigh, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is established. 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.
12 upvotes
Daniel S.
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
10 upvotes
Walter R.
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
7 upvotes
Naomi Campbell
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Cedar Grove area are tough. Kids love it here.
7 upvotes
Caroline Nguyen
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 13 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
6 upvotes
Brooks Robinson
as a local I can confirm
3 upvotes
Olivia F.
noted, appreciate it
3 upvotes
Lydia Garcia
I work in marketing here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is improving. Happy to answer more specific questions..
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