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Ellie Brooks moving

Considering Appleton vs Cleveland -help me decide

Anyone else feel this way? It's a a small town city with about 1,360 people. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
11 upvotes

14 Replies

Nova Wood
I work in hospitality here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is challenging. Definitely worth checking out..
40 upvotes
Easton Baker
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Pine Hills for 8 years. Moved from Minneapolis for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2024 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:**
consulting 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:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is tough - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills 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. Road conditions need improvement. Can feel isolated. And nightlife can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
columbusvibes2022
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Fairview area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
36 upvotes
Silas
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Oak Park. It's challenging for what you get.

Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in retail. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.

People: Generally improving. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Korean.

Hope this helps!.
33 upvotes
Matthew Cooper
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Downtown. It's solid for what you get.

Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in government. If you're in finance you might struggle.

People: Generally improving. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Indian.

No regrets on my end..
30 upvotes
Leonardo Alvarez
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much wild but now it's decent.
23 upvotes
Isla Mitchell
exactly what I was thinking
22 upvotes
Allison T.
good to know, thanks
22 upvotes
Ian Sanchez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Dallas it's better than expected.
21 upvotes
Maverick
Moved here from Miami about 12 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to safety but Feel free to reach out with questions..
21 upvotes
Lauren P.
I've lived in Uptown for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Good airport with direct flights
- The pet-friendliness scene is tough

The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited shopping options

Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Happy to answer more specific questions..
17 upvotes
Eli
it depends on the neighborhood
13 upvotes
noah_mama
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
9 upvotes
Luna Gutierrez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely average and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.

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.
4 upvotes
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