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Paisley Thomas living

What's it really like living in Belvidere?

Hey, I've been here for 15 years and It's a a small town city with about 24,510 people. The median home value here is around $153,100, which is actually reasonable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Am I wrong here? Thanks! The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
3 upvotes

1 Replies

Alice Adams
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a electrician, 54, moved here 1 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Lakewood and Downtown, 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. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The traffic situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for families. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K here.

**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
36 upvotes
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