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Hazel Allen
housing
Best neighborhoods to rent in Central?
Hi all, Just moved here 6 months ago and Poverty rate is 4.6%, which is pretty low.
10 upvotes
22 Replies
Noah J.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in West. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in government. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in West. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in government. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
40 upvotes
Jace Hughes
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much wild but now it's underrated.
36 upvotes
Evan Lopez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 4 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. manufacturing 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's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is improving - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are decent. 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. Property taxes are high. Homeless population growing downtown. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Midtown for 4 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. manufacturing 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's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is improving - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are decent. 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. Property taxes are high. Homeless population growing downtown. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Madeline Wright
I'm a pharmacist and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
36 upvotes
Mateo Diaz
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Westside. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in tech. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Westside. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in tech. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
34 upvotes
Rachel M.
exactly what I was thinking
32 upvotes
Eli Kelly
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great BBQ places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
30 upvotes
Adrian A.
it depends on the neighborhood
30 upvotes
Easton N.
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The weather is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
26 upvotes
Liam G.
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 Phoenix for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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 improving. 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 dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 11 years. Moved from Phoenix for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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 improving. 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 dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Ellie R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Springfield. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in tech. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Definitely worth checking out..
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Springfield. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in tech. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Definitely worth checking out..
22 upvotes
Ian T.
yeah no that's not right
20 upvotes
santiago_rider
Totally agree!
17 upvotes
Benjamin Turner
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 26, moved here 14 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Springfield and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
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. Dating scene is rough
3. The weather situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for young professionals. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
Background: I'm a contractor, 26, moved here 14 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Springfield and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
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. Dating scene is rough
3. The weather situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for young professionals. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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
Alexander Brown
seconding this
14 upvotes
Roman W.
Totally agree!
12 upvotes
dallas_lucy
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great seafood places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
10 upvotes
Peyton Roberts
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to Seattle it's challenging.
8 upvotes
Adrian Turner
Used to live on the The Heights side, now on the Downtown side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
6 upvotes
Nora Roberts
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Good luck with whatever you decide..
3 upvotes
Abigail
hard disagree but ok
1 upvotes
Xavier Gutierrez
Can confirm, been here 5 years.
0 upvotes