Longtime lurker here, The unemployment rate is 3.8%, which is pretty low. You can expect to pay around $1,892 for rent here. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Let me know your thoughts. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
4 upvotes
12 Replies
living_ian11
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 29, moved here 13 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The school system situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 San Francisco, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K 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.
37 upvotes
Grayson Morris
Moved here last year, no regrets.
36 upvotes
Josiah
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Greenfield. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in consulting. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Korean.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
34 upvotes
Hunter Lee
I work in real estate here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is decent. No regrets on my end..
29 upvotes
Joyce C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely decent and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Springfield) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market 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.
28 upvotes
Isaac
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Charlotte it's underrated.
22 upvotes
Emma R.
hard disagree but ok
20 upvotes
Sadie
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in The Heights. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in retail. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
No regrets on my end..
9 upvotes
Nevaeh M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Eastside. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in real estate. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
8 upvotes
Lucy Edwards
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from New York about 15 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Four distinct seasons
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Winters are long and cold
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are growing, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Definitely worth checking out..
8 upvotes
Jaxon Gomez
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
1 upvotes
Parker Gonzalez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Seattle about 4 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are pricey, gas is solid.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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