Hey, Been living here since 2007. Rent is about $1,994/month for a decent place. Household incomes average around $127,426 in Valley Stream. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
16 upvotes
21 Replies
Bella Gonzalez
underrated comment
39 upvotes
Xavier Jackson
great question, following
36 upvotes
Emily
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely average and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Eastside) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
35 upvotes
Caleb Baker
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much manageable but now it's average.
35 upvotes
Landon Cruz
preach
33 upvotes
Naomi
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
33 upvotes
Kennedy Cruz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 48, moved here 15 years ago from Boston. I've lived in The Heights and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The pet-friendliness situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Boston, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
31 upvotes
Andrew T.
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The walkability is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
28 upvotes
Peter M.
Bought a house here in 2022 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone about the same since then.
26 upvotes
Olivia Sanchez
thanks for sharing
25 upvotes
Sadie Edwards
Moved here from Raleigh about 10 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to food scene but Happy to answer more specific questions..
23 upvotes
Ian Gomez
this is the way
21 upvotes
Diana G.
accurate
20 upvotes
Sadie M.
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
13 upvotes
Everly Gray
thanks for sharing
10 upvotes
Carter Sanchez
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
9 upvotes
Andrew Allen
100%
7 upvotes
mesa_luke
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 11 years ago. The main reasons were work and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Active local events and festivals
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are competitive, gas is underrated.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
7 upvotes
Sebastian Edwards
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
4 upvotes
Adeline G.
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
1 upvotes
Julia W.
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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