Hey everyone, I'm a college student here and The median home value here is around $126,900, which is actually reasonable. The unemployment rate is 2.2%, which is pretty low. Crime rate is something to consider -Elkhart sits at 1,257.6 per 100K. The weather takes some getting used to. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. What neighborhoods would you suggest? Looking forward to hearing from you all. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
1 upvotes
23 Replies
oaklandgirl2021
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Asian places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
40 upvotes
Dominic L.
Used to live on the East side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
40 upvotes
Quinn Rivera
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The safety is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
37 upvotes
mason_kid
Came here for work and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The dating scene is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
34 upvotes
Andrew Martin
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely better than expected and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (The Heights) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe 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.
32 upvotes
Mateo Long
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Downtown area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
31 upvotes
Ethan Y.
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
30 upvotes
Jaxon Castillo
good to know, thanks
29 upvotes
seattlevibes2020
I've lived in Midtown for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- The cultural scene scene is solid
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Definitely worth checking out..
27 upvotes
Genesis M.
Moved here from Baltimore about 11 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to traffic but Hope this helps!.
25 upvotes
Thomas Morales
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
22 upvotes
Elijah Brown
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Pittsburgh it's underrated.
22 upvotes
Vivian Allen
+1
19 upvotes
raleigh_ruby
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
16 upvotes
Miles L.
underrated comment
15 upvotes
Madelyn Flores
facts
10 upvotes
Levi
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 6 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
5 upvotes
Delilah R.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
5 upvotes
Noah M.
couldn't agree more
4 upvotes
coastal_silas89
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Pittsburgh it's underrated.
3 upvotes
James Gomez
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 food scene. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
2 upvotes
Ava B.
it depends on the neighborhood
1 upvotes
Scarlett Morgan
I've lived in Riverside for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Active local events and festivals
- The public transit scene is average
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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