Alright, We have two kids and Household incomes average around $79,677 in Somersworth. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
5 upvotes
13 Replies
Aubrey
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is cultural scene. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
37 upvotes
Samuel Sanchez
Can confirm, been here 15 years.
35 upvotes
philly_emilia
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 2 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into running, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
34 upvotes
Ariana Lopez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 28, moved here 15 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Fairview and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The cost of living situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Chicago, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
26 upvotes
Joshua Sanders
been saying this for years
25 upvotes
houston_noah
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 37, moved here 3 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Downtown and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Property taxes are high
3. The cost of living situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for families. hit or miss 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 Chicago, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$130K 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.
23 upvotes
Autumn W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 27, moved here 8 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Eastside and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Affordable housing options
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The housing market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for young professionals. improving vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Seattle, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is reasonable. 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.
21 upvotes
mesa_hunter
Bought a house here in 2021 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
19 upvotes
Landon Clark
underrated comment
19 upvotes
Everett White
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
15 upvotes
Kennedy W.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. it's not perfect but it works for me. Worth doing your research before committing.
14 upvotes
Brielle Rivera
thanks for sharing
6 upvotes
Julian Miller
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Sunset. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in consulting. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
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