First post here. Crime rate is something to consider -West Haverstraw sits at 224.2 per 100K. Poverty rate is 5.5%, which is pretty low. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Should I be concerned? Any help is appreciated. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
10 upvotes
10 Replies
Maya Peterson
couldn't agree more
37 upvotes
Dominic Hughes
lol so true
37 upvotes
Leonardo Hall
Bought a house here in 2015 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
35 upvotes
oaklandliving2024
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Downtown. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
33 upvotes
Ariana Walker
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
33 upvotes
olivia_native
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 42, moved here 4 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Highland and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The public transit situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for retirees. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
30 upvotes
Greyson Rodriguez
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great Thai places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
27 upvotes
Julian Collins
it depends on the neighborhood
22 upvotes
real_cameron38
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 14 years. Moved from LA for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is tough - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are improving. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Nightlife is limited. Property taxes are high. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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