Not sure if this has been asked before, but Household incomes average around $53,766 in Paterson. You can expect to pay around $1,457 for rent here. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development.
50 upvotes
27 Replies
Thomas Murphy
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 6 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's growing 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 decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
37 upvotes
Jeremiah T.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Atlanta it's hit or miss.
37 upvotes
Nolan Castillo
accurate
36 upvotes
Nicholas Mendoza
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
33 upvotes
Everett G.
honestly same experience here
33 upvotes
Audrey Martin
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 32, moved here 15 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Eastside and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The healthcare situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for remote workers. tough vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$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.
33 upvotes
Madelyn Richardson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Springfield. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in tech. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
32 upvotes
Eli White
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 13 years. Moved from Seattle for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
tech is strong here. engineering 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:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are decent. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Limited entertainment options. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Piper G.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
28 upvotes
Christian Stewart
hard disagree but ok
28 upvotes
atl_austin
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
27 upvotes
Sophia K.
following this thread
25 upvotes
Audrey Hughes
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
25 upvotes
Jordan Smith
Moved here last year, no regrets.
23 upvotes
Landon Ramirez
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
22 upvotes
Hudson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
22 upvotes
Ian
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Highland. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in construction. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
16 upvotes
Maya M.
I've lived in Midtown for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- The weather scene is tough
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. Good luck with whatever you decide..
15 upvotes
Landon Hall
honestly same experience here
15 upvotes
Zoey Allen
I work in real estate here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is average. No regrets on my end..
9 upvotes
Isabelle Green
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is underrated in most areas.
8 upvotes
Isabelle D.
wish I knew this sooner
6 upvotes
Mia Collins
Used to live on the South side, now on the Riverside side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
6 upvotes
Willow Foster
great question, following
6 upvotes
Hannah Brooks
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from LA 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 Lakewood. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in finance. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
3 upvotes
Aaron R.
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The nightlife is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
3 upvotes
Samuel P.
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
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