Hey folks, Household incomes average around $83,622 in Westmont. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
10 upvotes
14 Replies
Luca Lewis
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 27, moved here 13 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Uptown and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The healthcare situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for singles. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Boston, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
40 upvotes
Harper Hernandez
bump
40 upvotes
cincydude2020
big facts right here
40 upvotes
Henry Adams
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 45, moved here 14 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Greenfield and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Can feel isolated
3. The nightlife situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for remote workers. solid vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Atlanta, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
38 upvotes
Aaron White
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Old Town area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
32 upvotes
Nevaeh James
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
31 upvotes
Declan Phillips
not my experience at all
28 upvotes
Miles A.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
23 upvotes
Stella Rogers
Saving this thread
16 upvotes
Alexa Turner
been saying this for years
14 upvotes
Isabelle Ruiz
it depends on the neighborhood
10 upvotes
Jackson Diaz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 14 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into running, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
8 upvotes
Brooklyn Long
wish I knew this sooner
5 upvotes
Amelia Cruz
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in South. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in retail. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Thai.