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Aiden best-worst

What surprised you most about Williamsville?

Hey, Rent is about $1,277/month for a decent place. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. What do you all think? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
7 upvotes

10 Replies

Leo Adams
literally same
39 upvotes
Catherine E.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a accountant who relocated here from Seattle about 5 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and school.

Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good internet infrastructure

Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Not very walkable outside downtown

Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are established, gas is better than expected.

Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Hope this helps!.
38 upvotes
Wyatt
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The healthcare is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
37 upvotes
Evan Young
it depends on the neighborhood
36 upvotes
Jacob Rogers
Moved here from Dallas about 9 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to nightlife but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
33 upvotes
Wesley Ramos
hard disagree but ok
30 upvotes
Timothy M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Highland for 6 years. Moved from New York for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.

**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are hit or miss. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Far from beaches/mountains. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Autumn Ortiz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a software engineer, 30, moved here 3 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in North and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The school system situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for young professionals. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Dallas, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K here.

**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
21 upvotes
Declan Castillo
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Maple Ridge for 15 years. Moved from Minneapolis for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.

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

**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is solid - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Maple Ridge schools are decent. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Limited entertainment options. And public transit can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Dylan M.
good to know, thanks
1 upvotes
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