Hello, Crime rate is something to consider — Cleveland sits at 1,516.7 per 100K. Average temperature is around 53°F, so expect cold winters. Median household income is $39,187, which feels on the lower side for the area. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Is this normal for Cleveland? Any help is appreciated. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. The suburbs are where most families end up.
60 upvotes
24 Replies
Angela C.
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
38 upvotes
Michael Murphy
wish I knew this sooner
36 upvotes
Ruby C.
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
35 upvotes
Weston Wood
I work in healthcare here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is tough. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
35 upvotes
Arianna Thomas
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
35 upvotes
Sadie W.
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great craft beer places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
34 upvotes
Eliana M.
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The pet-friendliness is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
33 upvotes
Levi P.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Fairview. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Hope this helps!.
32 upvotes
Nolan Torres
underrated comment
27 upvotes
Mason
I've lived in Highland for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- The food scene scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. Good luck with whatever you decide..
27 upvotes
Nolan R.
preach
18 upvotes
connor_soul
hmm interesting perspective
15 upvotes
Gabriella Edwards
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
14 upvotes
Dennis R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Baltimore about 9 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are growing, gas is solid.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
10 upvotes
Victoria Cruz
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
7 upvotes
Victoria Foster
+1
6 upvotes
Jackson R.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is improving in most areas.
5 upvotes
Avery Chavez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
5 upvotes
desert_chloe70
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
3 upvotes
jayden_life
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 26, moved here 4 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Greenfield and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The safety situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for singles. decent vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$130K 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.
2 upvotes
Eliana Walker
underrated comment
2 upvotes
Paisley D.
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great Korean places. it was the best decision I ever made.
1 upvotes
Samuel N.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 4 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are reasonable, gas is solid.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Feel free to reach out with questions..