Random thought, My partner and I are Average temperature is around 61--F, so the weather is moderate. Homes are going for about $283,700 on average. Median household income is $100,660, which feels pretty solid for the area. The unemployment rate is 2.4%, which is pretty low. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Would love some local perspective. TIA! People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up. The suburbs are where most families end up. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The suburbs are where most families end up. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
30 upvotes
24 Replies
Willie C.
nah I disagree
40 upvotes
Mateo G.
Moved here from Pittsburgh about 8 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to housing market but Feel free to reach out with questions..
39 upvotes
Brielle Moore
Used to live on the Lakewood side, now on the Meadowbrook side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
36 upvotes
Evan H.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 11 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
35 upvotes
Jeremiah B.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is solid in most areas.
33 upvotes
Valentina Moore
Saving this thread
31 upvotes
Scarlett Kim
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 8 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
30 upvotes
Jose
Moved here last year, no regrets.
29 upvotes
Josiah Stewart
facts
29 upvotes
Joseph Stewart
couldn't agree more
26 upvotes
Camila Rogers
good to know, thanks
24 upvotes
Josiah
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
24 upvotes
Madelyn Ward
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 41, moved here 8 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Downtown and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited shopping options
3. The healthcare situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for remote workers. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Austin, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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
Owen Thomas
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is tough in most areas.
19 upvotes
Michael
This.
18 upvotes
lake_olivia41
Moved here last year, no regrets.
16 upvotes
Joseph Thomas
I've lived in Fairview for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- The healthcare scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
13 upvotes
Amelia W.
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
12 upvotes
Jean C.
haha yep pretty much
12 upvotes
James Rogers
haha yep pretty much
11 upvotes
Harper Jimenez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 12 years. Moved from Portland for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are improving. 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 high-paying job options. Far from beaches/mountains. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
Waylon Morris
thanks for sharing
7 upvotes
jax_elizabeth
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- The community vibe scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Limited entertainment options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Hope this helps!.
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