Hello, I grew up here but left for a while. Crime rate is something to consider -Centralia sits at 340.9 per 100K. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development. What neighborhoods would you suggest? Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
7 upvotes
9 Replies
jacob_girl
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 8 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
39 upvotes
Jack C.
haha yep pretty much
38 upvotes
Ruby Rodriguez
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much pricey but now it's challenging.
21 upvotes
Avery Robinson
Bought a house here in 2023 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone about the same since then.
17 upvotes
Christian Castillo
Used to live on the Downtown side, now on the Westside side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
17 upvotes
Natalie W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 14 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
13 upvotes
Adeline S.
100%
12 upvotes
Aurora L.
Saving this thread
12 upvotes
Emily K.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 53, moved here 14 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Oak Park and North, 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. Nice parks and green spaces
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Limited shopping options
3. The dating scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for families. underrated 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 Houston, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
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