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Greyson
best-worst
Most overrated things about Decatur
Not sure if this has been asked before, but Been living here since 2024. Worth the trade-offs?
2 upvotes
15 Replies
Scarlett Phillips
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 2 years. Moved from Boston for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is decent - 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. The Heights schools are average. 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. Nightlife is limited. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in The Heights for 2 years. Moved from Boston for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is decent - 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. The Heights schools are average. 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. Nightlife is limited. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
39 upvotes
Roman
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
34 upvotes
Nicholas Green
Can confirm, been here 1 years.
33 upvotes
Deborah R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 7 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
I've been here 7 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
30 upvotes
Luke R.
underrated comment
29 upvotes
Maverick Scott
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 5 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
I've been here 5 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Audrey
haha yep pretty much
16 upvotes
dc_gianna
I've lived in Sunset for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- The walkability scene is tough
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Feel free to reach out with questions..
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- The walkability scene is tough
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Feel free to reach out with questions..
14 upvotes
Caleb P.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 11 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
finance is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is tough - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Riverside schools are average. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. Limited entertainment options. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Riverside for 11 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
finance is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is tough - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Riverside schools are average. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. Limited entertainment options. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Robert Robinson
as a local I can confirm
11 upvotes
Mason A.
Came here for retirement and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
3 upvotes
Olivia
thanks for sharing
3 upvotes
Ella
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Lakewood area are solid. Kids love it here.
3 upvotes
Willow S.
I work in construction here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is tough. Feel free to reach out with questions..
3 upvotes
Reagan A.
nah I disagree
0 upvotes