Not sure if this has been asked before, but I've been here for 19 years and The unemployment rate is 2.8%, which is pretty low. Crime rate is something to consider -Birmingham sits at 46.6 per 100K. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cheers. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
1 upvotes
13 Replies
Bella Gonzalez
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great sushi places. I love the pace of life here.
40 upvotes
Waylon Ross
I work in healthcare here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is better than expected. Hope this helps!.
39 upvotes
Waylon B.
it depends on the neighborhood
32 upvotes
Mateo H.
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Decent public transit for the size
- The school system scene is improving
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
30 upvotes
Zoey Parker
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 8 years. Moved from Miami for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is tough - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown schools are surprisingly good. 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. Property taxes are high. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Xavier
nah I disagree
28 upvotes
Wyatt
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much manageable but now it's challenging.
21 upvotes
Owen Campbell
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Minneapolis about 7 years ago. The main reasons were family and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Four distinct seasons
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Limited entertainment options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are stable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Feel free to reach out with questions..
18 upvotes
Anna Edwards
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The safety is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
18 upvotes
Nathan Rivera
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Pine Hills area are solid. Kids love it here.
11 upvotes
Cynthia J.
I've lived in Fairview for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good internet infrastructure
- The dating scene scene is average
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
9 upvotes
Lillian Brown
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great BBQ places. it exceeded my expectations.
8 upvotes
Aaron R.
Used to live on the Greenfield side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.