Curious what people think. The unemployment rate is 1.6%, which is pretty low. You can expect to pay around $1,106 for rent here. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
0 upvotes
29 Replies
Thomas Mendoza
couldn't agree more
38 upvotes
Owen L.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 9 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
34 upvotes
Waylon Flores
great question, following
33 upvotes
Katherine Reyes
accurate
32 upvotes
Christian M.
noted, appreciate it
31 upvotes
Declan Morgan
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
31 upvotes
Charles P.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is excellent in most areas.
31 upvotes
Asher Rodriguez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely challenging and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Riverside) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
28 upvotes
Sarah Walker
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
28 upvotes
Hunter M.
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the Meadowbrook side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
26 upvotes
Elijah Nguyen
I work in marketing here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is solid. Feel free to reach out with questions..
25 upvotes
Bennett Thompson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if healthcare matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
24 upvotes
Gianna M.
underrated comment
20 upvotes
Skylar Scott
yep
17 upvotes
Henry Wright
I've lived in Sunset for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The walkability scene is tough
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Hope this helps!.
16 upvotes
Carter Morgan
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Raleigh it's improving.
15 upvotes
olivia_soul
This.
14 upvotes
Lydia Ortiz
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
13 upvotes
Valentina Collins
good to know, thanks
11 upvotes
Kai Edwards
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Riverside. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
11 upvotes
Landon Chavez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 32, moved here 6 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Greenfield and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Close to major attractions
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The healthcare situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
8 upvotes
Jean R.
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Pine Hills area are solid. Kids love it here.
7 upvotes
native_isabella67
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
7 upvotes
Jeremiah O.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 50, moved here 11 years ago from New York. I've lived in Highland and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Affordable housing options
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Can feel isolated
3. The cultural scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for retirees. decent vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 New York, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
6 upvotes
Jack R.
Moved here from Portland about 9 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to safety but Happy to answer more specific questions..
3 upvotes
Nathan M.
Totally agree!
2 upvotes
Emma
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is challenging in most areas.
2 upvotes
Nova Patel
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..