Not sure if this has been asked before, but Military spouse here. Crime rate is something to consider -Edwardsville sits at 63.9 per 100K. Household incomes average around $92,671 in Edwardsville. Average temperature is around 58--F, so the weather is moderate. The median home value here is around $286,700, which seems about average. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Am I overthinking this? It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
22 upvotes
14 Replies
Greyson Bennett
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Highland. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in tech. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Southern.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
40 upvotes
Weston Allen
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
40 upvotes
Bennett Wilson
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
38 upvotes
Naomi Reyes
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the Fairview side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
35 upvotes
Kai Garcia
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
34 upvotes
William C.
noted, appreciate it
33 upvotes
Ruby Mitchell
same here
32 upvotes
Ezekiel Cruz
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Denver about 12 years ago. The main reasons were weather and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of new development happening
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are manageable, gas is challenging.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Good luck with whatever you decide..
24 upvotes
Kayden C.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
21 upvotes
Cameron A.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in West. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
14 upvotes
Grace
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely better than expected and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
13 upvotes
Dylan A.
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Sunset area are underrated. Kids love it here.
9 upvotes
Sophia Kim
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 2 years. Moved from Miami for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are pretty 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Homeless population growing downtown. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
Arianna Allen
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is improving in most areas.
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