Average temperature is around 51--F, so expect cold winters. Household incomes average around $116,560 in Waltham. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. What would you do? Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
0 upvotes
30 Replies
Caleb Cox
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 28, moved here 10 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Highland and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The weather situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for singles. solid vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Phoenix, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
39 upvotes
Elizabeth Jones
haha yep pretty much
39 upvotes
Easton Reed
100%
39 upvotes
Ellie Murphy
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
38 upvotes
Adam Kelly
Bought a house here in 2018 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
38 upvotes
desert_mackenzie22
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in North area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
38 upvotes
Jacob Martinez
good to know, thanks
37 upvotes
Judy S.
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
32 upvotes
Dylan Nelson
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
27 upvotes
Caleb Morgan
same here
26 upvotes
Leo
Used to live on the East side, now on the Springfield side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
25 upvotes
Clara Brooks
bump
25 upvotes
Janet A.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
23 upvotes
Luca James
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 8 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into running, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
22 upvotes
Andrew Thompson
seconding this
21 upvotes
John
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 46, moved here 14 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Riverside and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Growing food and restaurant scene
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The nightlife situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for retirees. average vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Dallas, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K 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
Stella Kim
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
20 upvotes
Julia P.
same here
20 upvotes
Alexa
accurate
19 upvotes
Lucy Thompson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Raleigh about 4 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited public transit options
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are reasonable, gas is solid.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Happy to answer more specific questions..
19 upvotes
Nicholas
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
13 upvotes
Silas G.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
8 upvotes
Ruby Peterson
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The healthcare is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
7 upvotes
raised_christian22
noted, appreciate it
7 upvotes
Ezra Young
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
5 upvotes
Katherine Cox
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely better than expected and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Springfield) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Limited public transit 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.
5 upvotes
Lillian Walker
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
2 upvotes
Daniel Rogers
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
2 upvotes
Luca Reyes
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the Cedar Grove side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
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