Hey everyone, The median home value here is around $420,700, which is pretty steep. Homes are going for about $420,700 on average. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Thoughts? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
21 upvotes
22 Replies
Joseph Howard
yep
39 upvotes
Caleb Smith
honestly same experience here
33 upvotes
Quinn Morales
Moved here from Portland about 10 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to walkability but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
31 upvotes
Mia Flores
yeah no that's not right
31 upvotes
James Ross
Came here for retirement and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor recreation is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
29 upvotes
Robert
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is community vibe. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
25 upvotes
caleb_mind
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 11 years. Moved from Charlotte for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. consulting 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 hit or miss - we have hiking trails 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. Rising rent and home prices. Nightlife is limited. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Theodore R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 53, moved here 13 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The nightlife situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for remote workers. average 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 Nashville, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K 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.
19 upvotes
Willow Jimenez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 39, moved here 10 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Oak Park and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Limited shopping options
3. The traffic situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for singles. tough vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Diego, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K 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.
18 upvotes
omaha_thomas
great question, following
17 upvotes
Wesley Peterson
noted, appreciate it
14 upvotes
Dominic
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
13 upvotes
Savannah Edwards
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
13 upvotes
Hazel Jimenez
Totally agree!
11 upvotes
Gabriel
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Lakewood. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Hope this helps!.
11 upvotes
Madeline Bennett
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
10 upvotes
christian_soul
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
7 upvotes
Victoria Campbell
lol so true
7 upvotes
Ruby Gray
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Uptown. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in finance. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Hope this helps!.
6 upvotes
real_addison17
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
All Countries
