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Claire Flores
moving
Remote worker thinking about Box Elder
We're a young couple and Should I be concerned? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
7 upvotes
4 Replies
bella_heart
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 30, moved here 11 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Property taxes are high
3. The job market situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 San Francisco, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
Background: I'm a writer, 30, moved here 11 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Property taxes are high
3. The job market situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 San Francisco, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
34 upvotes
Jack King
interesting, hadn't considered that
31 upvotes
Katherine G.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 2 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into running, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
I've been here 2 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into running, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
22 upvotes
Paisley Lewis
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The pet-friendliness scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The pet-friendliness scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
16 upvotes