Hey everyone, Household incomes average around $98,629 in Sayreville. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Am I overthinking this?
9 upvotes
30 Replies
Emily
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is community vibe. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
40 upvotes
Savannah K.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
38 upvotes
maverick_local
yep
36 upvotes
Josiah Castillo
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Mediterranean places. it exceeded my expectations.
36 upvotes
Wesley M.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Seattle it's excellent.
35 upvotes
Jaxon Ramirez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 24, moved here 9 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Old Town and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The housing market situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for retirees. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
34 upvotes
Eliana
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 8 years. Moved from Austin for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2017 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:**
legal is strong here. engineering 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 was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. South 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. Nightlife is limited. Chain restaurants dominate. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Adeline Allen
Totally agree!
22 upvotes
Xavier Reed
glad someone said it
22 upvotes
Connor H.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 1 years. Moved from Minneapolis for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2020 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is solid - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Limited public transit options. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Thomas Miller
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Springfield. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in retail. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
19 upvotes
Hannah G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Downtown. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
19 upvotes
Xavier Gomez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely better than expected and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (The Heights) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
17 upvotes
Paisley Moore
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
17 upvotes
Harper Walker
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Vietnamese places. it was the best decision I ever made.
17 upvotes
Camila
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
17 upvotes
Carson Turner
I'm a nurse and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
16 upvotes
Asher Anderson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Lakewood. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in education. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Definitely worth checking out..
15 upvotes
Delilah R.
Saving this thread
14 upvotes
Angel
Moved here last year, no regrets.
10 upvotes
Henry
underrated comment
8 upvotes
Nolan Castillo
I work in tech here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is excellent. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
8 upvotes
Miles Bennett
I work in tech here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is underrated. Happy to answer more specific questions..
8 upvotes
Gianna
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
7 upvotes
Avery Jackson
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to San Francisco it's challenging.
5 upvotes
Eli D.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
3 upvotes
Emilia M.
lol so true
3 upvotes
Landon Long
Can confirm, been here 8 years.
2 upvotes
Maya Cook
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
1 upvotes
Oliver Rodriguez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 51, moved here 14 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Highland and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Affordable housing options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The outdoor recreation situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for couples. average 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 San Diego, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.