Hello, I'm originally from St. Louis and It's a a smaller city city with about 54,830 people. Average temperature is around 76--F, so it's warm year-round. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The suburbs are where most families end up. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Am I overthinking this? Cheers. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
26 upvotes
25 Replies
Reagan C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Atlanta about 2 years ago. The main reasons were work and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Good luck with whatever you decide..
38 upvotes
Gabriel Jackson
spot on
37 upvotes
Ian B.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Baltimore 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 pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in engineering. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
37 upvotes
Nathan Ramos
Moved here from Miami about 12 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to school system but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
37 upvotes
Isaiah Parker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 38, moved here 9 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in North and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The cost of living situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for young professionals. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Atlanta, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K 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.
37 upvotes
dallas_declan
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
35 upvotes
Delilah H.
wish I knew this sooner
33 upvotes
Angel Sanders
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Sunset area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
33 upvotes
Hunter Miller
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely solid and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Downtown) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
32 upvotes
Mason E.
Moved here from Pittsburgh about 8 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to cultural scene but No regrets on my end..
32 upvotes
Weston Perez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 53, moved here 12 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Pine Hills and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The pet-friendliness situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for remote workers. solid vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Baltimore, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
32 upvotes
Kai Miller
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Dallas about 8 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Lots of new development happening
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are pricey, gas is solid.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Definitely worth checking out..
30 upvotes
Anna Brown
haha yep pretty much
30 upvotes
Adam Ward
Can confirm, been here 12 years.
28 upvotes
Delilah G.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely average and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Bugs and humidity in summer.
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.
27 upvotes
Brielle Hill
Bought a house here in 2020 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
27 upvotes
Jameson B.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in North. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in retail. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Hope this helps!.
23 upvotes
Isaiah Patel
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Eastside. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in real estate. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
No regrets on my end..
23 upvotes
Oliver Ortiz
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The pet-friendliness scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
21 upvotes
Logan Hill
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 10 years. Moved from Charlotte for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. tech 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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. Midtown schools are hit or miss. 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. Limited high-paying job options. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Brooklyn Myers
I work in marketing here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is challenging. Definitely worth checking out..
15 upvotes
Declan Cook
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
8 upvotes
Elijah Baker
nah I disagree
6 upvotes
Eva Lee
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 36, moved here 6 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in West and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Close to major attractions
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The housing market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for remote workers. 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 Charlotte, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
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