Alright, I'm single, late 50s, and Homes are going for about $176,200 on average. Crime rate is something to consider -Watervliet sits at 442.0 per 100K. Average temperature is around 51--F, so expect cold winters. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to.
10 upvotes
11 Replies
Sofia Murphy
exactly what I was thinking
35 upvotes
Emma Young
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely average and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (North) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness 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.
28 upvotes
Josiah Thomas
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Meadowbrook. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in education. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
23 upvotes
Serenity H.
as a local I can confirm
20 upvotes
Hudson Reyes
hard disagree but ok
13 upvotes
nycwalker2022
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 5 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
11 upvotes
dc_waylon
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
10 upvotes
Parker Price
Moved here from Atlanta about 14 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to nightlife but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
10 upvotes
Weston
I've lived in North for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Decent public transit for the size
- The cost of living scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Feel free to reach out with questions..
7 upvotes
Carson Garcia
Can confirm, been here 7 years.
2 upvotes
Mason Ward
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The job market is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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