Sign In Register
Madelyn Wood best-worst

Dedham vs Indianapolis -which is better?

Hello, Rent is about $2,058/month for a decent place. Homes are going for about $630,400 on average. Average temperature is around 52--F, so expect cold winters. Median household income is $124,375, which feels pretty solid for the area. You can expect to pay around $2,058 for rent here. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Property taxes are high but you get good services.

Pros:
- Nice parks and trails
- Good schools
- Plenty of shopping options

Cons:
- Rising rent prices
- Not very walkable
- Far from major airports
What neighborhoods would you suggest? The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to.
17 upvotes

18 Replies

William
I've lived in Midtown for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
- The nightlife scene is improving

The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Dating scene is rough

Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
39 upvotes
Ezekiel Peterson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a chef who relocated here from San Diego about 5 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and weather.

Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Close to major attractions
- Diverse dining options

Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Homeless population growing downtown

Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are pricey, gas is average.

Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
39 upvotes
Adeline A.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
37 upvotes
Oliver Watson
This.
30 upvotes
Brooks Jimenez
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much pricey but now it's average.
30 upvotes
Everly M.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
28 upvotes
Jeremiah Carter
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.
28 upvotes
Hunter Cox
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in North for 6 years. Moved from New York for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2021 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.

**Employment:**
finance is strong here. real estate 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 genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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. North schools are improving. 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. Far from beaches/mountains. And public transit can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Luca
facts
22 upvotes
Elena N.
interesting, hadn't considered that
22 upvotes
Mateo
noted, appreciate it
21 upvotes
jaxliving2022
Totally agree!
20 upvotes
Catherine E.
accurate
14 upvotes
Declan Scott
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a nurse, 58, moved here 3 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Lakewood and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Affordable housing options
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The community vibe situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for retirees. solid vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Charlotte, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.

**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
13 upvotes
Miles S.
bump
12 upvotes
Ruby Cox
nah I disagree
12 upvotes
Wesley T.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
8 upvotes
Paisley Patel
thanks for sharing
7 upvotes
← Back to Dedham Community