I work in legal and Crime rate is something to consider -Berwyn sits at 208.4 per 100K. Rent is about $1,175/month for a decent place. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Thoughts? Any help is appreciated.
29 upvotes
10 Replies
Michael W.
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The public transit is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
39 upvotes
Wesley Cruz
honestly same experience here
34 upvotes
Lucy Mendoza
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to New York it's solid.
29 upvotes
sacramentodude2025
Moved here from San Francisco about 1 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to outdoor recreation but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
29 upvotes
Jacob Taylor
Can confirm, been here 15 years.
27 upvotes
columbuschef2021
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Springfield. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in education. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Hope this helps!.
26 upvotes
Ezra Turner
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 41, moved here 3 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Greenfield and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Limited shopping options
3. The cost of living situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for couples. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Portland, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
19 upvotes
real_chloe16
seconding this
18 upvotes
Emilia Nelson
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great seafood places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
All Countries
