Hey, Born and raised here. With a population of 1,361, Carbondale is a small town. Homes are going for about $112,300 on average. Poverty rate is 8.1%, which is pretty low. The unemployment rate is 0.5%, which is pretty low. It's a a small town city with about 1,361 people. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The city has invested a lot in new development. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Has anyone dealt with this? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The suburbs are where most families end up. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
14 upvotes
13 Replies
Hazel H.
wish I knew this sooner
38 upvotes
Ellie Mendoza
I'm a sales manager and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
32 upvotes
Brooklyn G.
thanks for sharing
31 upvotes
Ian Smith
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Charlotte it's solid.
29 upvotes
Wyatt Walker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Chicago about 7 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are growing, gas is challenging.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Good luck with whatever you decide..
27 upvotes
Declan
great question, following
26 upvotes
Ruby G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 25, moved here 8 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in South and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Property taxes are high
3. The public transit situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for couples. tough vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
24 upvotes
Sarah R.
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
20 upvotes
Joseph Richardson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 29, moved here 13 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Riverside and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
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. Summers can be brutally hot
3. The healthcare situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for singles. decent vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Houston, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K 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.
18 upvotes
stlguy2022
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
18 upvotes
Jacob Price
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
9 upvotes
Vivian Phillips
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
8 upvotes
Katherine M.
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. dating scene used to be much reasonable but now it's better than expected.
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