Hey everyone, Been living here since 2020. You can expect to pay around $504 for rent here. Crime rate is something to consider -Bessemer sits at 155.8 per 100K. The median home value here is around $76,100, which is actually reasonable. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Looking forward to hearing from you all. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
4 upvotes
14 Replies
Kinsley Castillo
lol so true
40 upvotes
stl_christian
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
37 upvotes
George K.
I'm a marketing manager and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
35 upvotes
Ann C.
it depends on the neighborhood
31 upvotes
James Adams
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 33, moved here 8 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Lakewood and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The healthcare situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for singles. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
30 upvotes
Lily
Bought a house here in 2024 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone about the same since then.
28 upvotes
Eli Castillo
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
27 upvotes
Kayden T.
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
23 upvotes
Lily Robinson
same here
22 upvotes
Vivian Thomas
Can confirm, been here 5 years.
21 upvotes
Joseph Allen
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to Minneapolis it's excellent.
16 upvotes
Josiah Richardson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 50, moved here 2 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Fairview and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cultural scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for singles. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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
Levi Flores
yep
8 upvotes
jaxon_life
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if weather matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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