Hey, I'm a teacher here and Household incomes average around $119,598 in Westfield. Median household income is $119,598, which feels pretty solid for the area. The food scene here is surprisingly good. What do you all think? The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
23 upvotes
11 Replies
Melanie J.
Bought a house here in 2019 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
39 upvotes
Clara Martin
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
38 upvotes
Silas Johnson
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
37 upvotes
Helen W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Midtown. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in marketing. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
27 upvotes
Madeline Y.
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
19 upvotes
Willow Miller
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
18 upvotes
Serenity Mitchell
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 5 years. Moved from Atlanta for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. tech 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are challenging. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Limited entertainment options. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Easton Moore
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 12 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good healthcare facilities
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are growing, gas is improving.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
3 upvotes
Everly Robinson
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
2 upvotes
Isabella Richardson
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much affordable but now it's tough.
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