Been meaning to ask this. We're a young couple and Household incomes average around $76,964 in Dickinson. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. What would you do? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
2 upvotes
27 Replies
Jameson S.
100%
39 upvotes
Michael Long
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 30, moved here 3 years ago from LA. I've lived in Eastside and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Affordable housing options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The community vibe situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for families. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 LA, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
39 upvotes
Cameron Nelson
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Greenfield area are decent. Kids love it here.
37 upvotes
Matthew
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much reasonable but now it's underrated.
36 upvotes
Emily Martinez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
36 upvotes
Carson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Chicago about 13 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Affordable housing options
- Diverse dining options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are wild, gas is underrated.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
35 upvotes
Eleanor Thomas
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely underrated and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (The Heights) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
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.
34 upvotes
Jeremiah Ward
Moved here last year, no regrets.
33 upvotes
Autumn Patel
Moved here from Phoenix about 2 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to healthcare but Definitely worth checking out..
32 upvotes
robert_girl
literally same
31 upvotes
Elijah B.
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is walkability. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
30 upvotes
Adam C.
Bought a house here in 2016 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
29 upvotes
Christian W.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Hope this helps!.
22 upvotes
Natalie
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Active local events and festivals
- The weather scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
22 upvotes
Audrey Adams
been saying this for years
19 upvotes
Chloe Ward
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely underrated and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (East) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
17 upvotes
Susan C.
nah I disagree
16 upvotes
mesa_valentina
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The weather is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
15 upvotes
Sarah Richardson
noted, appreciate it
14 upvotes
Emma Johnson
couldn't agree more
13 upvotes
detroit_hunter
I've lived in Oak Park for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The job market scene is tough
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
11 upvotes
Waylon Davis
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 4 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
7 upvotes
andrew_living
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 3 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into running, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
6 upvotes
Nathan Rivera
bump
6 upvotes
Roman Adams
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Boston about 15 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Four distinct seasons
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Rising rent and home prices
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are wild, gas is improving.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Good luck with whatever you decide..
5 upvotes
Jacob Gutierrez
been saying this for years
4 upvotes
Everett Myers
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. Definitely worth checking out..
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