Been meaning to ask this. I'm single, late 50s, and Median household income is $139,515, which feels pretty solid for the area. Average temperature is around 54--F, so expect cold winters. With a population of 63,542, Reston is a smaller city. You can expect to pay around $2,170 for rent here. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
20 upvotes
25 Replies
Mateo Turner
it depends on the neighborhood
39 upvotes
alice_mind
noted, appreciate it
37 upvotes
Adeline Lee
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
37 upvotes
Owen Morris
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 4 years. Moved from Miami for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are decent. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Road conditions need improvement. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Samuel
facts
33 upvotes
Logan Foster
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely average and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (West) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
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.
31 upvotes
Savannah Gutierrez
Totally agree!
30 upvotes
Nathan Carter
accurate
28 upvotes
portlanddude2023
100%
27 upvotes
Lillian White
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much competitive but now it's decent.
22 upvotes
Skylar Cox
I've lived in South for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- The cultural scene scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Definitely worth checking out..
18 upvotes
Asher R.
great question, following
18 upvotes
Sarah Thomas
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much affordable but now it's excellent.
17 upvotes
Samuel Long
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Phoenix about 8 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are manageable, gas is solid.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
16 upvotes
Sebastian Clark
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 48, moved here 13 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in East and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The housing market situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for singles. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Seattle, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
16 upvotes
Aaron C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 1 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
15 upvotes
Kayden
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the South side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
12 upvotes
Riley Rodriguez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Portland about 9 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Decent public transit for the size
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are reasonable, gas is solid.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Feel free to reach out with questions..
10 upvotes
Nicholas T.
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The walkability is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
9 upvotes
Mateo Walker
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 14 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
9 upvotes
Luca R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 29, moved here 13 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Highland and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Close to major attractions
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Can feel isolated
3. The traffic situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for young professionals. solid vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Raleigh, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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
Delilah Ramirez
haha yep pretty much
6 upvotes
Matthew M.
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The walkability is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
5 upvotes
Isaiah
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 24, moved here 11 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Oak Park and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The healthcare situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for couples. tough 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
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