Been meaning to ask this. My partner and I are Median household income is $66,250, which feels about average for the area. Homes are going for about $222,300 on average. You can expect to pay around $925 for rent here. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
4 upvotes
15 Replies
Allison Hernandez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 1 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Rising rent and home prices
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are stable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Feel free to reach out with questions..
33 upvotes
Roman Edwards
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Greenfield area are excellent. Kids love it here.
29 upvotes
nyc_camila
thanks for sharing
29 upvotes
Sophia Rivera
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 5 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
29 upvotes
Hunter Brown
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 15 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
26 upvotes
Aaron C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 32, moved here 6 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Old Town and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Four distinct seasons
2. Affordable housing options
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The outdoor recreation situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for couples. surprisingly 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 Houston, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
20 upvotes
Levi C.
honestly same experience here
18 upvotes
austinlife2021
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
13 upvotes
Adeline G.
glad someone said it
10 upvotes
Ariana
good to know, thanks
8 upvotes
Aurora Peterson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Fairview. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in engineering. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
6 upvotes
Axel K.
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much affordable but now it's pretty good.
5 upvotes
Bella
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 33, moved here 6 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in North and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The safety situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for families. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K 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.
4 upvotes
Wyatt Ortiz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 7 years. Moved from Nashville for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2021 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is decent - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are tough. 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. Limited shopping options. Limited entertainment options. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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