Hey folks, I'm a nurse at the local hospital and With a population of 3,073, Carrollton is a small town. You can expect to pay around $748 for rent here. The median home value here is around $129,400, which is actually reasonable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Has anyone dealt with this? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to.
10 upvotes
8 Replies
William Cruz
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much pricey but now it's underrated.
37 upvotes
Easton Long
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 24, moved here 11 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Meadowbrook and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Four distinct seasons
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited shopping options
3. The food scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for families. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K 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.
31 upvotes
Ryan H.
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great farm-to-table places. it's been a really good experience overall.
26 upvotes
Alexa Ramirez
yep
22 upvotes
Joseph Mendoza
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 39, moved here 2 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Oak Park and Old Town, 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. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The community vibe situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for retirees. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Dallas, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K 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.
20 upvotes
Tyler R.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Salt Lake City it's average.
13 upvotes
Olivia Jones
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 3 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. 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 camping, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
12 upvotes
Audrey
Used to live on the The Heights side, now on the Midtown side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
All Countries
