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Kayden living

What's it really like living in West Islip?

Hello, It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Any advice would be great. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
6 upvotes

7 Replies

Helen W.
good to know, thanks
40 upvotes
Luke Jackson
Bought a house here in 2024 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone about the same since then.
40 upvotes
Victoria Young
as a local I can confirm
36 upvotes
Isaiah Scott
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a electrician, 30, moved here 9 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Riverside and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The food scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for families. surprisingly good 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 Phoenix, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K here.

**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
29 upvotes
Hailey
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Pine Hills for 11 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.

**Employment:**
tech is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is decent - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are pretty good. 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. Limited public transit options. Homeless population growing downtown. And healthcare can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Cora
hard disagree but ok
18 upvotes
Valentina R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a software engineer, 51, moved here 1 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in The Heights and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The pet-friendliness situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for young professionals. tough vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $90K-$110K 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.
11 upvotes
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