First post here. I've been here for 14 years and It's a a small town city with about 1,135 people. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Has anyone dealt with this? It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
7 upvotes
15 Replies
Weston Long
Moved here from Phoenix about 3 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to traffic but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
40 upvotes
river_jeremiah43
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Baltimore it's pretty good.
36 upvotes
Hunter
100%
35 upvotes
Madeline B.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 12 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
34 upvotes
Nevaeh
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from San Francisco, 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
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The pet-friendliness scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Definitely worth checking out..
33 upvotes
Logan Ortiz
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Salt Lake City 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 Old Town. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
32 upvotes
Santiago Edwards
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Lakewood. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in consulting. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like seafood.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
31 upvotes
Mackenzie F.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 5 years. Moved from Tampa for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. engineering 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:**
the quality of life is solid. 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. Midtown schools are underrated. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Road conditions need improvement. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Elizabeth S.
underrated comment
19 upvotes
Levi Gonzalez
Can confirm, been here 12 years.
14 upvotes
Valentina Diaz
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely improving and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
9 upvotes
Connor H.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
8 upvotes
Roman Lopez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Chicago about 3 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons that are real:
- Limited shopping options
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are wild, gas is decent.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
7 upvotes
Sarah Cruz
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
All Countries
