Curious what people think. I work in energy and The unemployment rate is 3.1%, which is pretty low. Household incomes average around $47,489 in Waterville. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Should I be concerned? Thanks for reading. The suburbs are where most families end up. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
3 upvotes
12 Replies
Landon Phillips
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 49, moved here 2 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Eastside and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The pet-friendliness situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for couples. tough vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K 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.
37 upvotes
tucson_easton
hard disagree but ok
36 upvotes
Diane S.
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
32 upvotes
Nathan Alvarez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Miami it's tough.
31 upvotes
Gabriella
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
31 upvotes
Adrian Moore
honestly same experience here
22 upvotes
Grace J.
I work in marketing here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is improving. Feel free to reach out with questions..
14 upvotes
Bella Mendoza
Bought a house here in 2023 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
13 upvotes
Patricia Y.
exactly what I was thinking
4 upvotes
Elijah Brown
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
4 upvotes
Hunter Murphy
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 38, moved here 7 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Pine Hills and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Property taxes are high
3. The public transit situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for young professionals. improving 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 Houston, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
3 upvotes
Victoria
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Westside. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Korean.
All Countries
