First post here. I'm a teacher here and It's a a smaller city city with about 30,015 people. Average temperature is around 56--F, so the weather is moderate. With a population of 30,015, Drexel Hill is a smaller city. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
24 upvotes
13 Replies
Alan T.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
37 upvotes
Brooklyn B.
exactly what I was thinking
34 upvotes
Benjamin G.
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
34 upvotes
Kai L.
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
34 upvotes
wild_melanie97
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
32 upvotes
Angel Ramos
Came here for retirement and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The walkability is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
30 upvotes
Lucy Wright
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 1 years. Moved from LA for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2019 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is tough - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are surprisingly 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. Winters are long and cold. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Wyatt Kelly
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 43, moved here 6 years ago from Denver. I've lived in South and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The cultural scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for young professionals. improving 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 Denver, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
21 upvotes
Clara A.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (South) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation 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.
18 upvotes
Isaiah Adams
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
12 upvotes
Mia Watson
I work in engineering here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
12 upvotes
sd_wesley
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 2 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
11 upvotes
Maya A.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Greenfield. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in finance. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
All Countries
