OK so I've been here for 1 years and Crime rate is something to consider -Salem Lakes sits at 49.1 per 100K. It's a a small town city with about 14,521 people. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. What would you do? Property taxes are high but you get good services. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
11 upvotes
10 Replies
Jacqueline J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 53, moved here 10 years ago from Boston. I've lived in East and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good airport with direct flights
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. Limited high-paying job options
3. The school system situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for young professionals. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Boston, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K 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.
35 upvotes
Noah Stewart
Saving this thread
33 upvotes
carson_dude
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
30 upvotes
Melanie Lopez
hard disagree but ok
24 upvotes
Maya Reyes
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
15 upvotes
Abigail
noted, appreciate it
15 upvotes
Connor Cook
hard disagree but ok
14 upvotes
Kinsley Flores
Used to live on the Sunset side, now on the Meadowbrook side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
12 upvotes
Weston Williams
glad someone said it
11 upvotes
Aria W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Oak Park. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like seafood.
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