First post here. Been living here since 2005. Median household income is $62,266, which feels about average for the area. The food scene here is surprisingly good. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
10 upvotes
13 Replies
Roy J.
I work in retail here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is decent. Definitely worth checking out..
39 upvotes
Everett Smith
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 36, moved here 14 years ago from LA. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The food scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for couples. decent vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
35 upvotes
Nathan
great question, following
32 upvotes
Emilia Ramos
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 1 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
29 upvotes
Victoria Nguyen
great question, following
29 upvotes
Carson Brooks
Used to live on the Fairview side, now on the East side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
26 upvotes
Miles Flores
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
18 upvotes
Cynthia M.
underrated comment
13 upvotes
Maverick S.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
13 upvotes
sfgirl2020
same here
7 upvotes
Nova King
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much affordable but now it's pretty good.
6 upvotes
William Cooper
hard disagree but ok
4 upvotes
Liam D.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely excellent 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 New York, be prepared for the culture shock. safety 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.
All Countries
