I grew up here but left for a while. Poverty rate is 11.2%, which is around average. It's a a smaller city city with about 50,798 people. You can expect to pay around $1,184 for rent here. Median household income is $66,943, which feels about average for the area. The unemployment rate is 3.8%, which is pretty low. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The weather takes some getting used to. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Any advice would be great. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Property taxes are high but you get good services. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The city has invested a lot in new development. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
6 upvotes
20 Replies
Jeremiah W.
same here
39 upvotes
Matthew T.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
39 upvotes
Kennedy Ward
literally same
39 upvotes
Emilia
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 11 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
37 upvotes
Luna H.
seconding this
34 upvotes
Nicholas Stewart
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much established but now it's hit or miss.
30 upvotes
Anthony W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from LA about 15 years ago. The main reasons were work and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are stable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Hope this helps!.
28 upvotes
Elizabeth R.
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor recreation is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
28 upvotes
Aaron R.
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in The Heights area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
27 upvotes
Cameron Sanders
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 31, moved here 10 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Eastside and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally improving - 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 healthcare situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: 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 Dallas, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
27 upvotes
Gabriella Brooks
Saving this thread
20 upvotes
Julia Carter
preach
19 upvotes
Natalie Reyes
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Meadowbrook area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
19 upvotes
Leonardo Ramos
wish I knew this sooner
14 upvotes
Liam Morris
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Hope this helps!.
12 upvotes
Chloe W.
yep
9 upvotes
vegasdude2022
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 55, moved here 2 years ago from LA. I've lived in Maple Ridge and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Limited shopping options
3. The healthcare situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
9 upvotes
tulsa_josiah
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from New York about 5 years ago. The main reasons were family and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are stable, gas is excellent.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Happy to answer more specific questions..
6 upvotes
Evan R.
I'm a software engineer and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
5 upvotes
Sarah
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. nightlife used to be much affordable but now it's tough.
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