Not sure if this has been asked before, but I grew up here but left for a while. Rent is about $1,713/month for a decent place. Crime rate is something to consider -Auburn sits at 393.3 per 100K. The suburbs are where most families end up. Worth the trade-offs?
4 upvotes
30 Replies
Eli N.
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much affordable but now it's excellent.
40 upvotes
Audrey Wilson
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
39 upvotes
Nathan Evans
Bought a house here in 2022 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
38 upvotes
Alexa Murphy
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
37 upvotes
Connor J.
Came here for weather and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The safety is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
34 upvotes
Lily Kelly
I've lived in Eastside for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of new development happening
- The school system scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. Hope this helps!.
33 upvotes
Gary H.
thanks for sharing
33 upvotes
Janet P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 44, moved here 13 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Highland and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The public transit situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for retirees. average vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Baltimore, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$100K 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.
32 upvotes
Hannah Ross
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 9 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
29 upvotes
Hailey Foster
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The safety is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
26 upvotes
Eleanor Cox
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The community vibe is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
25 upvotes
Nancy B.
as a local I can confirm
25 upvotes
Harper Hall
nah I disagree
23 upvotes
Lucas Price
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
23 upvotes
Keith T.
same here
22 upvotes
chicagopapa2023
I've lived in West for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- The safety scene is decent
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
21 upvotes
Emma Cruz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 3 years. Moved from LA for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
government is strong here. tech 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:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. 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. Downtown schools are average. 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 a lot of cultural diversity. Limited shopping options. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Sophia
Bought a house here in 2015 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
17 upvotes
benjamin_girl
lol so true
17 upvotes
Ariana Sanchez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 49, moved here 10 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Greenfield and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The healthcare situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for remote workers. improving vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Chicago, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$80K 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.
16 upvotes
Mateo Gutierrez
This.
13 upvotes
Andrew Hughes
literally same
12 upvotes
waylon_guy
thanks for sharing
11 upvotes
Austin Adams
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 44, moved here 11 years ago from New York. I've lived in Westside and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Affordable housing options
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The public transit situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for retirees. challenging 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 New York, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K 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.
10 upvotes
Jaxon Murphy
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in West. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in government. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Definitely worth checking out..
6 upvotes
Ruby Jackson
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
5 upvotes
Elizabeth Hill
interesting, hadn't considered that
4 upvotes
Anna Edwards
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 15 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
1 upvotes
Adrian Nelson
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much competitive but now it's hit or miss.
1 upvotes
Abigail B.
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: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Downtown. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in finance. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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