Anyone else feel this way? I relocated for work and Rent is about $1,412/month for a decent place. With a population of 65,441, Dundalk is a smaller city. Homes are going for about $199,600 on average. Average temperature is around 55--F, so the weather is moderate. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
Pros:
- Great weather
- Nice parks and trails
- Growing food scene
- Strong sense of community
Cons:
- Rising rent prices
- Limited nightlife
- High property taxes
- Limited cultural events
- Chain restaurants dominate
Thoughts? Property taxes are high but you get good services. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
29 upvotes
25 Replies
Leonardo Alvarez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 48, moved here 13 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Sunset and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The weather situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for remote workers. improving vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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
Savannah Miller
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
38 upvotes
Hannah
Moved here last year, no regrets.
36 upvotes
Clara Adams
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
35 upvotes
Anna W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Phoenix 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 Maple Ridge. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in real estate. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Hope this helps!.
34 upvotes
Sofia Howard
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely improving and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Highland) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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
Mackenzie C.
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Indian places. it exceeded my expectations.
32 upvotes
Harper Flores
thanks for sharing
32 upvotes
Aiden
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
28 upvotes
Jameson P.
Moved here from Boston about 2 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to walkability but Definitely worth checking out..
26 upvotes
Marilyn G.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Aubrey Torres
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 58, moved here 15 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Midtown and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The cultural scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for remote workers. decent vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
20 upvotes
Michael Collins
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Mexican places. it's been a really good experience overall.
20 upvotes
Samantha B.
Moved here from Houston about 10 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to traffic but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
19 upvotes
Nathan Campbell
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 3 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
15 upvotes
Kai T.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Miami about 2 years ago. The main reasons were weather and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are developing, gas is solid.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
13 upvotes
Noah Gomez
100%
13 upvotes
Mateo G.
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Oak Park area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
12 upvotes
Madeline Gonzalez
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
10 upvotes
Maverick
Used to live on the Sunset side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
9 upvotes
Harper F.
interesting, hadn't considered that
6 upvotes
Mateo Castillo
spot on
4 upvotes
Alice Wright
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
2 upvotes
Leonardo M.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
1 upvotes
detroitheart2023
Used to live on the Springfield side, now on the West side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
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