Household incomes average around $125,534 in Ronkonkoma. Rent is about $2,275/month for a decent place. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Cheers. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
7 upvotes
13 Replies
Charlotte Allen
Used to live on the Westside side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
36 upvotes
Everett P.
as a local I can confirm
35 upvotes
Lillian Collins
nah I disagree
33 upvotes
Sadie Patel
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 New York for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is solid - we have lakes 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 hit or miss. 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 public transit options. Winters are long and cold. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Grayson M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 54, moved here 12 years ago from Portland. I've lived in West and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The nightlife situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Portland, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K 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.
24 upvotes
cool_valentina90
Moved here last year, no regrets.
23 upvotes
Kinsley W.
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 Minneapolis for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2018 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have ski resorts 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 tough. 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 high-paying job options. Far from beaches/mountains. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Leo Parker
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
14 upvotes
Marie M.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Houston it's challenging.
12 upvotes
Joseph Taylor
I've lived in Riverside for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
- The cultural scene scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. No regrets on my end..
5 upvotes
Eva Miller
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
4 upvotes
Carolyn B.
Totally agree!
4 upvotes
Julia Anderson
Came here for quality of life and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The nightlife is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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