Thinking about relocating to Cleveland from Chicago
Curious what people think. I'm a 32-year-old mechanic and Poverty rate is 25.2%, which is higher than I expected. Median household income is $39,187, which feels on the lower side for the area. The unemployment rate is 6.9%, which is concerning. Crime rate is something to consider — Cleveland sits at 1,516.7 per 100K. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
18 upvotes
4 Replies
Lily Martin
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The healthcare is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
30 upvotes
Eleanor Lee
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 43, moved here 8 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in North and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The traffic situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for retirees. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Atlanta, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K 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
jax_elizabeth
Moved here last year, no regrets.
9 upvotes
Naomi Peterson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Uptown. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in finance. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Indian.
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