Hey folks, I'm a teacher here and The unemployment rate is 3.0%, which is pretty low. Crime rate is something to consider -Princeton sits at 288.1 per 100K. Rent is about $1,663/month for a decent place. Median household income is $82,130, which feels pretty solid for the area. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. 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. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
12 upvotes
13 Replies
John C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Seattle about 2 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Strong job market in several industries
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are reasonable, gas is underrated.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
33 upvotes
Eleanor L.
preach
28 upvotes
Michael Williams
as a local I can confirm
23 upvotes
Nora Price
noted, appreciate it
23 upvotes
Xavier
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 13 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
legal is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have hiking trails 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 surprisingly good. 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. Nightlife is limited. Homeless population growing downtown. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Willie B.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to LA it's improving.
15 upvotes
Aria H.
seconding this
14 upvotes
angel_local
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Highland. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in tech. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
10 upvotes
Henry Adams
good to know, thanks
9 upvotes
chill_john15
as a local I can confirm
9 upvotes
Anna Howard
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great Vietnamese places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
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