Hello, Crime rate is something to consider -Bloomington sits at 236.3 per 100K. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
6 upvotes
12 Replies
Lydia Stewart
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
40 upvotes
Serenity Miller
Totally agree!
40 upvotes
Robert Green
I work in government here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is improving. Good luck with whatever you decide..
40 upvotes
Colton Green
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
38 upvotes
Piper Lee
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Portland about 10 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Close to major attractions
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are developing, gas is average.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Feel free to reach out with questions..
29 upvotes
Amelia Thomas
seconding this
25 upvotes
Lillian Lee
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 3 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
23 upvotes
wild_logan9
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
21 upvotes
Allison Cooper
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. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
21 upvotes
sdmama2020
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Hope this helps!.
9 upvotes
Santiago Myers
literally same
4 upvotes
Leah
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 12 years. Moved from Atlanta for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2019 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. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East 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. Winters are long and cold. Can feel isolated. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
All Countries
