I'm single, late 50s, and Median household income is $54,479, which feels on the lower side for the area. Household incomes average around $54,479 in Cairo. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The city has invested a lot in new development. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The weather takes some getting used to.
9 upvotes
13 Replies
Stella Hughes
Came here for school and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The housing market is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
37 upvotes
Weston Edwards
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Highland. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in construction. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
No regrets on my end..
32 upvotes
Naomi James
Used to live on the Springfield side, now on the Maple Ridge side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
30 upvotes
Genesis Hernandez
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
24 upvotes
Eva E.
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Lakewood area are solid. Kids love it here.
23 upvotes
Skylar H.
This.
22 upvotes
Owen Stewart
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
21 upvotes
Stella R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 52, moved here 6 years ago from Austin. I've lived in South and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The food scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Austin, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K 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.
18 upvotes
Isla Carter
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 4 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
14 upvotes
Asher Clark
glad someone said it
12 upvotes
Axel M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 9 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
9 upvotes
Dylan F.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 3 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
8 upvotes
Luke Richardson
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Tampa it's underrated.