Curious what people think. It's a a small town city with about 13,734 people. Poverty rate is 9.9%, which is pretty low. You can expect to pay around $1,341 for rent here. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
Pros:
- Friendly people
- Good healthcare facilities
- Plenty of shopping options
- Active local events
- Good airport connections
Cons:
- Hot summers
- Sprawl everywhere
- Poor road conditions
- Homelessness issues downtown
Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The city has invested a lot in new development. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
15 upvotes
8 Replies
Isaac H.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 7 years. Moved from Seattle for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. North schools are decent. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Not very walkable outside downtown. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
39 upvotes
Daniel Thomas
+1
36 upvotes
Abigail D.
Moved here from Miami about 11 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to traffic but Happy to answer more specific questions..
27 upvotes
Kai T.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in South. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
27 upvotes
Alexander A.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 2 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
20 upvotes
David Gray
I work in construction here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Definitely worth checking out..
8 upvotes
Maya Hall
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Chicago about 1 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Lots of new development happening
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are reasonable, gas is excellent.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Good luck with whatever you decide..
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