We have two kids and Poverty rate is 9.4%, which is pretty low. You can expect to pay around $1,135 for rent here. Crime rate is something to consider -Columbus sits at 139.6 per 100K. The median home value here is around $231,000, which is actually reasonable. The city has invested a lot in new development. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. What do you all think? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
19 upvotes
26 Replies
Doris B.
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
39 upvotes
Lily Thomas
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
36 upvotes
Madelyn Jimenez
Came here for cost of living and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community vibe is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
35 upvotes
local_emily78
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
33 upvotes
Jaxon Murphy
glad someone said it
32 upvotes
Roman Perez
hard disagree but ok
31 upvotes
Emma Long
Moved here from Austin about 14 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to job market but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
30 upvotes
Xavier Mendoza
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 8 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
29 upvotes
Naomi Bennett
Moved here from Atlanta about 13 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to dating scene but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
29 upvotes
Levi Rivera
noted, appreciate it
28 upvotes
Vivian D.
I'm a electrician and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
27 upvotes
Austin G.
hmm interesting perspective
21 upvotes
Albert D.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 11 years. Moved from Austin for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
real estate is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is solid - we have mountains 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 challenging. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Limited entertainment options. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Miles Johnson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
18 upvotes
Zachary S.
good to know, thanks
14 upvotes
Eleanor
interesting, hadn't considered that
14 upvotes
Theodore
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
13 upvotes
Camila Nelson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 12 years. Moved from New York for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2022 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. legal 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 love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are pretty good. 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. Can feel isolated. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Serenity Anderson
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The safety is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
10 upvotes
Liam Morgan
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
9 upvotes
Arianna Hughes
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 26, moved here 5 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Springfield and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The school system situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for retirees. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
6 upvotes
Hunter Kim
noted, appreciate it
5 upvotes
Gianna Wood
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 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 Springfield. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in tech. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Hope this helps!.
3 upvotes
Austin Wood
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
3 upvotes
Henry Castillo
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Riverside area are improving. Kids love it here.
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