Curious what people think. I'm a nurse at the local hospital and Crime rate is something to consider -Edwardsville sits at 63.9 per 100K. Household incomes average around $92,671 in Edwardsville. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
11 upvotes
22 Replies
Jack Ruiz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 3 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
40 upvotes
Jeremiah Diaz
This.
35 upvotes
Aiden Richardson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from San Francisco about 10 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Close to major attractions
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are manageable, gas is average.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
34 upvotes
Nevaeh Richardson
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to Denver it's decent.
34 upvotes
Ethan Smith
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely improving and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
33 upvotes
Kai Miller
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is walkability. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
32 upvotes
William Hughes
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 15 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
32 upvotes
Jace
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely tough and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Eastside) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
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
Delilah G.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Maple Ridge for 11 years. Moved from Charlotte for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
hospitality is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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. Maple Ridge schools are underrated. 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 very walkable outside downtown. Dating scene is rough. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Ellie R.
it depends on the neighborhood
22 upvotes
Zoey Allen
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely tough and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Old Town) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Limited shopping 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.
21 upvotes
Daniel W.
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
20 upvotes
Bella
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
19 upvotes
Noah
Came here for weather and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The housing market is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
18 upvotes
true_harper78
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely improving and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Eastside) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
16 upvotes
Axel Cruz
same here
15 upvotes
Ethan R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely better than expected and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
12 upvotes
Naomi M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from New York about 14 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good airport with direct flights
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are competitive, gas is underrated.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
12 upvotes
Ellie P.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely tough and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Uptown) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Limited public transit 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.
10 upvotes
Jace Scott
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much affordable but now it's excellent.
9 upvotes
Levi Nelson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 8 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is improving - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Lakewood schools are improving. 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. Limited public transit options. Not very walkable outside downtown. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
Zoe Gomez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Chicago about 3 years ago. The main reasons were work and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Decent public transit for the size
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are growing, gas is tough.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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