Considering Columbus vs Cleveland — help me decide
Been meaning to ask this. I'm a remote worker and Median household income is $56,622, which feels about average for the area. Rent is about $1,072/month for a decent place. Poverty rate is 15.0%, which is around average. It's a a mid-size city city with about 204K people. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The suburbs are where most families end up. Any advice would be great. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
10 upvotes
15 Replies
Naomi Watson
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
37 upvotes
Stephen T.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely improving and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (North) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Homeless population growing downtown.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
33 upvotes
Ella Hernandez
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The cost of living is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
30 upvotes
Aaron T.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 11 years. Moved from Phoenix for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. finance 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:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is average - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are better than expected. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Jean C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 54, moved here 9 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Highland and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The community vibe situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for singles. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$70K 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.
23 upvotes
Riley Wright
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Nashville it's excellent.
21 upvotes
Savannah Wright
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
20 upvotes
Miles King
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 11 years. Moved from Portland for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Lakewood schools are hit or miss. 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. Limited entertainment options. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Nova C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Uptown. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
18 upvotes
charlotte_fan
great question, following
11 upvotes
austin_waylon
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great Thai places. it was the best decision I ever made.
10 upvotes
Mackenzie Jackson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if cultural scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
7 upvotes
Allison King
Came here for work and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The dating scene is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
5 upvotes
sdrunner2025
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Phoenix about 11 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are manageable, gas is solid.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Happy to answer more specific questions..
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