Been meaning to ask this. Crime rate is something to consider -Benton sits at 570.5 per 100K. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
8 upvotes
26 Replies
Kai Rogers
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Charlotte about 3 years ago. The main reasons were school and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are manageable, gas is tough.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
40 upvotes
Nevaeh Rivera
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
39 upvotes
Elizabeth James
I'm a chef and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
34 upvotes
Xavier Ruiz
underrated comment
34 upvotes
Nova Anderson
I work in finance here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is tough. Feel free to reach out with questions..
29 upvotes
Camila Kim
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
22 upvotes
Miles Mendoza
accurate
22 upvotes
Matthew Jimenez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 48, moved here 4 years ago from LA. I've lived in Old Town and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The job market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for singles. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 LA, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
17 upvotes
Silas Morgan
interesting, hadn't considered that
17 upvotes
Adrian Ortiz
Bought a house here in 2019 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
15 upvotes
Cora Bennett
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great BBQ places. the quality of life is solid.
14 upvotes
Stella
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
12 upvotes
Henry Phillips
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 12 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
10 upvotes
Jonathan Martin
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 28, moved here 7 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The public transit situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Miami, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
9 upvotes
Leo
big facts right here
9 upvotes
Lydia Ruiz
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The cultural scene is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
9 upvotes
Frank C.
glad someone said it
8 upvotes
Jose R.
accurate
8 upvotes
Luca Lopez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely decent and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
6 upvotes
nola_adrian
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 40, moved here 9 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Meadowbrook and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The food scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Raleigh, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K 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.
6 upvotes
Samuel Cook
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 9 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. Meadowbrook schools are excellent. 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. Winters are long and cold. Far from beaches/mountains. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
Ian Torres
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much stable but now it's decent.
4 upvotes
Autumn Adams
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely pretty good and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
4 upvotes
Isaac King
Bought a house here in 2019 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
2 upvotes
Elizabeth Moore
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Cedar Grove. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in marketing. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
1 upvotes
Luna R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 9 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into running, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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