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Grayson Lewis best-worst

Unpopular opinion about Peabody

Not sure if this has been asked before, but I'm originally from San Francisco and Poverty rate is 11.0%, which is around average. The unemployment rate is 2.4%, which is pretty low. You can expect to pay around $672 for rent here. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.

Pros:
- Friendly people
- Diverse community
- Easy commute
- Active local events

Cons:
- Limited public transit
- Rising rent prices
- Homelessness issues downtown
Should I be concerned? The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The suburbs are where most families end up. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The food scene here is surprisingly good. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
6 upvotes

5 Replies

vegas_ellie
Moved here from Portland about 10 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Feel free to reach out with questions..
37 upvotes
Waylon Johnson
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is improving in most areas.
33 upvotes
Paisley Collins
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
9 upvotes
Jordan Foster
I'm a project manager and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
5 upvotes
Kayden Walker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a lawyer, 34, moved here 14 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The walkability situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for families. solid 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 Portland, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$130K 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.
4 upvotes
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