Hi all, We're a young couple and The unemployment rate is 3.3%, which is pretty low. Average temperature is around 54--F, so expect cold winters. With a population of 63,542, Reston is a smaller city. Household incomes average around $139,515 in Reston. Crime rate is something to consider -Reston sits at 194.2 per 100K. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Anyone in a similar situation? Looking forward to hearing from you all. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
28 upvotes
22 Replies
Paisley G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Maple Ridge. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in retail. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
40 upvotes
Sadie Martin
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
38 upvotes
Colton M.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely average and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Sunset) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
38 upvotes
Aurora M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 8 years ago. The main reasons were weather and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are wild, gas is average.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. No regrets on my end..
36 upvotes
Jonathan Morales
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is tough in most areas.
30 upvotes
Gabriella Mitchell
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Tampa it's better than expected.
30 upvotes
William
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Miami it's hit or miss.
28 upvotes
Robert P.
glad someone said it
26 upvotes
Leo Peterson
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 Phoenix for a job opportunity. 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 about the same 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:**
construction is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have biking 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 excellent. 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. Limited shopping options. Far from beaches/mountains. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Eli Baker
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
22 upvotes
Scarlett Howard
great question, following
21 upvotes
Kai Ross
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 15 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
19 upvotes
Timothy C.
I've lived in Eastside for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The cultural scene scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
18 upvotes
Maya Gomez
Bought a house here in 2016 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
18 upvotes
Alexander H.
interesting, hadn't considered that
15 upvotes
Gianna
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
15 upvotes
Benjamin
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
12 upvotes
Mason
spot on
8 upvotes
Harper Diaz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 3 years. Moved from San Diego for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset schools are better than expected. 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 very walkable outside downtown. Bugs and humidity in summer. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Aiden
I've lived in Downtown for about 7 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 Houston, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good internet infrastructure
- The dating scene scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Winters are long and cold
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. No regrets on my end..
5 upvotes
Serenity Sanders
Moved here from Seattle about 6 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to dating scene but No regrets on my end..
4 upvotes
Andrew Kelly
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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