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Naomi Nguyen
housing
Affordable areas near Shirley?
Not sure if this has been asked before, but Military spouse here.
3 upvotes
11 Replies
Zoe Turner
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 nightlife. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
40 upvotes
Aaliyah Wright
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
34 upvotes
Dylan R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely solid and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Old Town) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely solid and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Old Town) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
20 upvotes
Madeline
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
19 upvotes
urban_jeremiah14
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 15 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
I've been here 15 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
13 upvotes
Audrey G.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 2 years. Moved from Dallas for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. legal 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have rivers 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 decent. 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. Property taxes are high. Limited shopping options. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in East for 2 years. Moved from Dallas for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. legal 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have rivers 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 decent. 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. Property taxes are high. Limited shopping options. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Claire Kim
hard disagree but ok
7 upvotes
mesalover2020
Totally agree!
5 upvotes
Andrew
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 9 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
I've been here 9 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
1 upvotes
Wyatt R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Miami about 13 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are pricey, gas is decent.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. No regrets on my end..
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Miami about 13 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are pricey, gas is decent.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. No regrets on my end..
1 upvotes
Jose Peterson
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
1 upvotes