Hey folks, I relocated for work and The unemployment rate is 2.0%, which is pretty low. Household incomes average around $146,543 in Pine Brook. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. What would you do? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up.
11 upvotes
12 Replies
Aubrey L.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 49, moved here 4 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Downtown and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Can feel isolated
3. The housing market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for singles. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Boston, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K 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.
40 upvotes
Anna W.
glad someone said it
34 upvotes
Pamela H.
Moved here from Dallas about 4 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to cultural scene but Happy to answer more specific questions..
30 upvotes
Waylon
Came here for retirement and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The walkability is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
30 upvotes
Levi
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
29 upvotes
nyc_landon
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The cultural scene is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
28 upvotes
Avery Morris
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The school system is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
22 upvotes
Isaac Castillo
hard disagree but ok
22 upvotes
Allison Carter
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in West area are improving. Kids love it here.
13 upvotes
Ian Foster
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Springfield) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
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.
11 upvotes
Emily Evans
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 36, moved here 10 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Eastside and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The food scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for retirees. average vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Baltimore, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K 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.
9 upvotes
Austin Ruiz
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in East. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in government. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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