Anyone else feel this way? Median household income is $46,124, which feels on the lower side for the area. Homes are going for about $134,400 on average. The unemployment rate is 3.2%, which is pretty low. Crime rate is something to consider -Bridgeton sits at 916.5 per 100K. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The city has invested a lot in new development. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
28 upvotes
29 Replies
Aiden Clark
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 53, moved here 3 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Westside and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Good healthcare facilities
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. Limited shopping options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for retirees. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 established. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
40 upvotes
nycchef2023
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is improving in most areas.
40 upvotes
Joshua Long
Bought a house here in 2021 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
40 upvotes
Paisley F.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely tough and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Riverside) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare 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.
38 upvotes
Landon Price
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 13 years. Moved from Houston for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2021 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. 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. West 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. Can feel isolated. Homeless population growing downtown. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Anna
100%
35 upvotes
Cooper Cook
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 1 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
34 upvotes
Greyson Thomas
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Maple Ridge for 1 years. Moved from Dallas for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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. Maple Ridge schools are challenging. 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. Road conditions need improvement. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Cooper Sanchez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Austin about 12 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are established, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
30 upvotes
Jack Hughes
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 4 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
28 upvotes
Naomi Peterson
I work in consulting here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is better than expected. Good luck with whatever you decide..
28 upvotes
Samuel Ramirez
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
26 upvotes
Anna F.
Moved here from New York about 1 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to nightlife but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
21 upvotes
Avery S.
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
20 upvotes
Jaxon Long
haha yep pretty much
17 upvotes
Wyatt Kim
bump
17 upvotes
Nicholas C.
lol so true
16 upvotes
Piper Gutierrez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 25, moved here 9 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Growing food and restaurant scene
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The healthcare situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for families. solid vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K 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.
15 upvotes
Eva Taylor
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
15 upvotes
Addison G.
Saving this thread
14 upvotes
Eva L.
Bought a house here in 2020 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
13 upvotes
Piper
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in The Heights. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
12 upvotes
Ezra Collins
I'm a social worker and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
9 upvotes
Adeline Jones
I work in tech here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is excellent. Feel free to reach out with questions..
8 upvotes
Nora Roberts
not my experience at all
7 upvotes
Cameron Ramos
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Nashville it's excellent.
6 upvotes
Melanie Murphy
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 15 years. Moved from Atlanta for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is solid - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook schools are solid. 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. Limited entertainment options. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes
Xavier Wood
I've lived in Oak Park for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- The cost of living scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Rising rent and home prices
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. Feel free to reach out with questions..
2 upvotes
Quinn Kim
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 4 years. Moved from Houston for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
government is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Road conditions need improvement. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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