Thinking about relocating to Allendale from Cleveland
I'm a college student here and The unemployment rate is 5.6%, which is about average. It's a a smaller city city with about 25,741 people. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The city has invested a lot in new development.
30 upvotes
3 Replies
Caleb R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 40, moved here 5 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Uptown and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Can feel isolated
3. The housing market situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for couples. decent vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Raleigh, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$100K 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.
36 upvotes
Benjamin Reed
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 10 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
23 upvotes
Sofia Brown
Bought a house here in 2015 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone about the same since then.
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