OK so Born and raised here. With a population of 114K, Waterbury is a mid-size city. You can expect to pay around $1,180 for rent here. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. What are your go-to spots? Appreciate any input.
56 upvotes
6 Replies
Eli Cooper
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Happy to answer more specific questions..
35 upvotes
Jaxon Smith
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 53, moved here 9 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Downtown and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The outdoor recreation situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for young professionals. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Charlotte, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K 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.
28 upvotes
Adeline
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The public transit is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
27 upvotes
Jackson R.
seconding this
16 upvotes
Ellie Wright
wish I knew this sooner
13 upvotes
Jayden Clark
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from San Francisco about 13 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Lots of new development happening
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Bugs and humidity in summer
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are reasonable, gas is solid.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Definitely worth checking out..
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