Curious what people think. We have two kids and It's a a small town city with about 22,332 people. The unemployment rate is 1.4%, which is pretty low. With a population of 22,332, Portsmouth is a small town. You can expect to pay around $1,778 for rent here. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Let me know your thoughts. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up.
0 upvotes
15 Replies
Eugene W.
haha yep pretty much
35 upvotes
Jacob S.
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Four distinct seasons
- The cost of living scene is tough
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. No regrets on my end..
34 upvotes
Arianna
this is the way
33 upvotes
Audrey W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in South. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in real estate. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Hope this helps!.
32 upvotes
Luna White
facts
31 upvotes
Jack P.
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
30 upvotes
Kai Ross
Moved here from Atlanta about 14 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
29 upvotes
Ian B.
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great craft beer places. it's been a really good experience overall.
21 upvotes
Ella Ortiz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 4 years. Moved from Austin for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2019 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is improving - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Cedar Grove schools are hit or miss. 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. Winters are long and cold. Limited high-paying job options. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
henry_soul
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Seattle about 1 years ago. The main reasons were weather and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Strong job market in several industries
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is excellent.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Definitely worth checking out..
18 upvotes
Silas L.
exactly what I was thinking
14 upvotes
Connor Mitchell
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great Korean places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
13 upvotes
Kayla W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 35, moved here 7 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Uptown and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Limited shopping options
3. The dating scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for remote workers. tough vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Austin, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
12 upvotes
Nova Long
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 36, moved here 7 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Riverside and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The dating scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for singles. average vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
12 upvotes
Bennett Alvarez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 12 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are affordable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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