Hey everyone, Average temperature is around 48--F, so expect cold winters. With a population of 13,374, Pottsville is a small town. The unemployment rate is 4.5%, which is about average. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
Pros:
- Friendly people
- Growing food scene
- Plenty of shopping options
- Active local events
Cons:
- Traffic can be terrible
- Limited nightlife
- Not very walkable
- Boring for young people
- Not enough green space
Thoughts? Looking forward to hearing from you all. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good. 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.
14 upvotes
15 Replies
Madelyn P.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely solid and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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
Lucas M.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is improving in most areas.
32 upvotes
Julia Cox
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much manageable but now it's pretty good.
30 upvotes
Landon Phillips
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in The Heights. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Hailey
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Vietnamese places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
27 upvotes
Maya Allen
yeah no that's not right
24 upvotes
Olivia Bailey
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 12 years. Moved from Raleigh for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are average. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Far from beaches/mountains. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Nathan Collins
yep
23 upvotes
Kayden Rivera
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 45, moved here 10 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Lakewood and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good internet infrastructure
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. Winters are long and cold
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The community vibe situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Chicago, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K 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.
21 upvotes
waylon_mind
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 8 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are growing, gas is excellent.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Feel free to reach out with questions..
20 upvotes
jaxkid2025
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
19 upvotes
Charlotte Mendoza
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Four distinct seasons
- The food scene scene is tough
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
11 upvotes
autumn_runner
I've lived in Springfield for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- The school system scene is improving
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
9 upvotes
Scarlett Brown
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to Chicago it's better than expected.
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