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Autumn Scott
best-worst
Top 5 things I love about Princeton
Been meaning to ask this. It's a a smaller city city with about 41,476 people.
8 upvotes
29 Replies
Theodore Castillo
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
37 upvotes
Levi Martin
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 15 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
I've been here 15 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
34 upvotes
Mackenzie Cooper
hard disagree but ok
34 upvotes
Grayson Cruz
exactly what I was thinking
32 upvotes
Scarlett Kim
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in The Heights. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in The Heights. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
29 upvotes
Addison Evans
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Pittsburgh 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 Fairview. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in real estate. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Definitely worth checking out..
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Fairview. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in real estate. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Definitely worth checking out..
23 upvotes
houstonliving2025
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is community vibe. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
22 upvotes
Waylon Chavez
facts
21 upvotes
Reagan Alvarez
seconding this
20 upvotes
portland_joseph
Came here for family and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The cost of living is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
20 upvotes
Isaac C.
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Pine Hills area are average. Kids love it here.
18 upvotes
Everett G.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Nashville about 4 years ago. The main reasons were family and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good internet infrastructure
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are affordable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Good luck with whatever you decide..
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Nashville about 4 years ago. The main reasons were family and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good internet infrastructure
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are affordable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Good luck with whatever you decide..
17 upvotes
Abigail Castillo
noted, appreciate it
17 upvotes
Amelia Diaz
I've lived in Downtown for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
- The nightlife scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Hope this helps!.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
- The nightlife scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Hope this helps!.
16 upvotes
Grace P.
I've lived in Oak Park for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of new development happening
- The nightlife scene is tough
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Definitely worth checking out..
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of new development happening
- The nightlife scene is tough
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Definitely worth checking out..
16 upvotes
Kennedy N.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
14 upvotes
Isla C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 31, moved here 12 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Greenfield and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Affordable housing options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Property taxes are high
3. The food scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for singles. solid 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 Nashville, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
Background: I'm a chef, 31, moved here 12 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Greenfield and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Affordable housing options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Property taxes are high
3. The food scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for singles. solid 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 Nashville, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
13 upvotes
Dominic Reed
Moved here from Tampa about 10 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to community vibe but Good luck with whatever you decide..
13 upvotes
Levi Lopez
Totally agree!
12 upvotes
Nicholas Kim
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Nashville 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 Oak Park. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Oak Park. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
9 upvotes
Lucy Lewis
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
9 upvotes
Ellie P.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is average in most areas.
9 upvotes
Adam Baker
this is the way
7 upvotes
Kai Garcia
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 53, moved here 10 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Midtown and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Can feel isolated
3. The safety situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for retirees. solid vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $90K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 53, moved here 10 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Midtown and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Can feel isolated
3. The safety situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for retirees. solid vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $90K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
6 upvotes
Carter Allen
I'm a data analyst and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is average and there's always something going on.
5 upvotes
Waylon Gonzalez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
2 upvotes
Eva Turner
Moved here last year, no regrets.
1 upvotes
Kennedy Turner
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Raleigh it's surprisingly good.
0 upvotes
Aria
I've lived in Lakewood for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- The public transit scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- The public transit scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
0 upvotes