We have two kids and Crime rate is something to consider -Pittsfield sits at 709.8 per 100K. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Should I be concerned?
19 upvotes
23 Replies
Gianna Baker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 38, moved here 1 years ago from New York. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The traffic situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 New York, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
39 upvotes
Brooks
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
39 upvotes
Zoey Parker
literally same
35 upvotes
Peyton Lopez
I'm a accountant and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
35 upvotes
Emmett T.
spot on
34 upvotes
Emilia Foster
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Hope this helps!.
32 upvotes
Naomi R.
couldn't agree more
30 upvotes
Santiago King
facts
28 upvotes
Kayden Cooper
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely underrated and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
28 upvotes
Claire
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
25 upvotes
nyc_piper
couldn't agree more
24 upvotes
kayden_native
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
24 upvotes
Madelyn
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Riverside area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
23 upvotes
Brooklyn Y.
following this thread
19 upvotes
Adeline Morris
same here
17 upvotes
Wesley Lewis
Used to live on the Cedar Grove side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
16 upvotes
Abigail R.
couldn't agree more
16 upvotes
Ezekiel Ramirez
couldn't agree more
15 upvotes
Parker Harris
yep
15 upvotes
Riley R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Downtown. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in government. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
13 upvotes
Clara T.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Baltimore about 7 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Decent public transit for the size
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is underrated.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Happy to answer more specific questions..
13 upvotes
Elizabeth Price
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit 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.
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