Random thought, I'm a remote worker and The unemployment rate is 5.3%, which is about average. Average temperature is around 49--F, so expect cold winters. With a population of 68,521, Schenectady is a smaller city. Household incomes average around $56,398 in Schenectady. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
4 upvotes
29 Replies
Isabelle Cox
same here
40 upvotes
Mackenzie Rogers
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
39 upvotes
Russell K.
thanks for sharing
37 upvotes
Mackenzie Peterson
Can confirm, been here 2 years.
36 upvotes
Cora Reyes
spot on
36 upvotes
Liam Morales
accurate
34 upvotes
Robert S.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Chicago about 4 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are pricey, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Happy to answer more specific questions..
34 upvotes
Theodore Jackson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 50, moved here 4 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The healthcare situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for couples. excellent 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 Tampa, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
30 upvotes
Sebastian Mitchell
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 6 years. Moved from Miami for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have hiking trails 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 surprisingly good. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. Far from beaches/mountains. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Carolyn C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 15 years. Moved from Denver for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is solid - we have desert landscapes 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 average. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Mason T.
I'm a electrician and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
24 upvotes
Everett Edwards
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely underrated and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Riverside) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
23 upvotes
Nathan C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Uptown. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in real estate. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
22 upvotes
Waylon Rogers
Bought a house here in 2021 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
21 upvotes
Everett Parker
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
20 upvotes
Willow Phillips
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is improving in most areas.
18 upvotes
Eli Cooper
following this thread
15 upvotes
Gabriella Johnson
thanks for sharing
14 upvotes
Liam Gutierrez
I've lived in The Heights for about 8 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 Miami, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- The housing market scene is average
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Summers can be brutally hot
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
14 upvotes
Quinn Lopez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
13 upvotes
Easton Hughes
Bought a house here in 2017 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
12 upvotes
Eli Stewart
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much growing but now it's underrated.
11 upvotes
Claire Taylor
bump
10 upvotes
Stella Brown
I work in hospitality here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is tough. Feel free to reach out with questions..
9 upvotes
Carson R.
this is the way
4 upvotes
Lillian Stewart
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely tough and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe 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.
2 upvotes
Genesis A.
as a local I can confirm
2 upvotes
Brielle
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
1 upvotes
Everett L.
I'm a social worker and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
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