Hey, We're a young couple and Household incomes average around $100,028 in Rockaway. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. What are your go-to spots? It's not perfect, but the community is solid. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
9 upvotes
13 Replies
Cameron Wright
following this thread
40 upvotes
Maya Reyes
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is cost of living. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
36 upvotes
Nora Long
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 3 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
34 upvotes
Adam James
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Greenfield. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in education. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
33 upvotes
Declan W.
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
32 upvotes
Serenity A.
this is the way
31 upvotes
Robert Lopez
great question, following
25 upvotes
boston_kennedy
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from San Francisco about 8 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Four distinct seasons
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Limited entertainment options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are growing, gas is improving.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Feel free to reach out with questions..
23 upvotes
Kai Lopez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Seattle about 4 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are competitive, gas is decent.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
20 upvotes
Landon R.
Came here for quality of life and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor recreation is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
16 upvotes
Naomi Brown
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
16 upvotes
Sofia M.
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much stable but now it's improving.
14 upvotes
Jeremiah Harris
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great Southern places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
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