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Matthew Johnson living

Day-to-day life in Staunton, VA

People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Should I be concerned? The city has invested a lot in new development.
20 upvotes

11 Replies

Aiden B.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a data analyst who relocated here from San Francisco about 14 years ago. The main reasons were family and cost of living.

Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good schools in most areas

Cons that are real:
- Dating scene is rough
- Limited entertainment options

Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is hit or miss.

Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Good luck with whatever you decide..
40 upvotes
Bennett C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Cedar Grove. It's excellent for what you get.

Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in finance. If you're in legal you might struggle.

People: Generally tough. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like seafood.

Hope this helps!.
40 upvotes
Kaylee Cook
hard disagree but ok
37 upvotes
proud_kai69
Came here for family and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The weather is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
37 upvotes
Nora Mendoza
I've lived in Highland for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options
- The cultural scene scene is excellent

The downsides:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer

Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
35 upvotes
James Foster
I've lived in Old Town for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- The healthcare scene is average

The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Dating scene is rough

Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Feel free to reach out with questions..
32 upvotes
Adeline Gomez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.

I've been here 6 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is hit or miss.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

No regrets on my end..
27 upvotes
Pamela T.
accurate
8 upvotes
Waylon H.
interesting, hadn't considered that
6 upvotes
Caleb
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a software engineer, 26, moved here 12 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in North and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The job market situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for couples. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K here.

**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
4 upvotes
Virginia M.
Moved here from Baltimore about 12 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to cultural scene but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
3 upvotes
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