Longtime lurker here, Crime rate is something to consider -El Centro sits at 322.8 per 100K. Median household income is $56,093, which feels about average for the area. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
19 upvotes
8 Replies
Rylee James
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 9 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
39 upvotes
Elizabeth Patel
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Meadowbrook. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in education. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
36 upvotes
tucson_harper
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if traffic matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
22 upvotes
Natalie M.
Saving this thread
20 upvotes
Axel D.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Boston about 3 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is tough.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. No regrets on my end..
19 upvotes
Natalie Ross
it depends on the neighborhood
9 upvotes
Nolan Chavez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 47, moved here 10 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Midtown and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The housing market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for families. improving 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 Miami, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K 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.
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