Hey folks, With a population of 54,180, Peabody is a smaller city. The unemployment rate is 3.1%, which is pretty low. Median household income is $95,278, which feels pretty solid for the area. Poverty rate is 5.1%, which is pretty low. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
6 upvotes
27 Replies
Ava Lewis
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 8 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into running, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
40 upvotes
Wyatt
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely decent and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Springfield) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
39 upvotes
Brooks W.
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much manageable but now it's excellent.
38 upvotes
Easton Rogers
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to New York it's better than expected.
36 upvotes
Emilia C.
Bought a house here in 2016 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
35 upvotes
Ruby Garcia
spot on
33 upvotes
Jayden Parker
This.
31 upvotes
Oliver
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
30 upvotes
Dylan Wright
spot on
27 upvotes
Isabelle T.
same here
26 upvotes
Kayden Sanders
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
23 upvotes
landon_walker
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 13 years here, that's my honest assessment.
23 upvotes
Gabriella R.
good to know, thanks
21 upvotes
Madeline Rogers
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 5 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
18 upvotes
Eliana E.
Bought a house here in 2021 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
16 upvotes
Connor Ward
accurate
16 upvotes
Gabriel G.
I'm a software engineer and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
12 upvotes
orlandopapa2025
Used to live on the Cedar Grove side, now on the North side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
10 upvotes
Violet James
exactly what I was thinking
9 upvotes
Ian Brooks
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Good luck with whatever you decide..
8 upvotes
Lydia Ruiz
same here
8 upvotes
Xavier Brown
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in The Heights. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
6 upvotes
sacramentomind2020
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 35, moved here 2 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Lakewood and Riverside, 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 internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The cultural scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for couples. decent vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
6 upvotes
Leah Ramirez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. No regrets on my end..
6 upvotes
Xavier L.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely improving and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
5 upvotes
Eva R.
Moved here from Minneapolis about 13 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to community vibe but Good luck with whatever you decide..
1 upvotes
Mateo Kim
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 1 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. legal 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:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are excellent. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Road conditions need improvement. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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