OK so I'm a 24-year-old sales rep and The unemployment rate is 2.3%, which is pretty low. With a population of 80,549, Somerville is a smaller city. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. What do you all think? Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
20 upvotes
15 Replies
Dominic
glad someone said it
40 upvotes
Allison P.
Came here for work and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The cultural scene is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
40 upvotes
proud_camila95
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Limited shopping options.
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.
33 upvotes
Kaylee Carter
noted, appreciate it
30 upvotes
Ella
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Hope this helps!.
28 upvotes
Eli D.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 8 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
25 upvotes
Naomi Mendoza
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
18 upvotes
Grace C.
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
17 upvotes
Carter
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from LA about 8 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good internet infrastructure
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are competitive, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Happy to answer more specific questions..
17 upvotes
Emily Kim
I'm a lawyer and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
16 upvotes
Brielle Wright
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
14 upvotes
Jose Wright
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
12 upvotes
Violet D.
preach
5 upvotes
Aaron Evans
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
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