Random thought, I'm a remote worker and With a population of 93,915, Toms River is a smaller city. The weather takes some getting used to. What would you do? It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The city has invested a lot in new development.
14 upvotes
11 Replies
Camila Thompson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Lakewood. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in engineering. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Italian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
39 upvotes
Paisley
hmm interesting perspective
32 upvotes
Carter Gomez
honestly same experience here
31 upvotes
Dominic Bailey
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
31 upvotes
Gabriella R.
100%
31 upvotes
Zachary R.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
28 upvotes
Ezekiel Flores
Came here for weather and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The weather is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
25 upvotes
Hailey
yeah no that's not right
25 upvotes
Bennett
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 5 years. Moved from Denver for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2019 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is improving - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are solid. 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. Winters are long and cold. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Jacob Clark
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 31, moved here 8 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Riverside and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The food scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for retirees. better than expected 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 Atlanta, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K 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.
18 upvotes
Jaxon Hall
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 11 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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