Household incomes average around $53,204 in Elyria. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Does this match your experience? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
17 upvotes
15 Replies
Asher Wright
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Eastside. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
40 upvotes
Edward P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 27, moved here 5 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Highland and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The pet-friendliness situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for young professionals. decent vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
39 upvotes
Jack Hall
spot on
30 upvotes
elena_walker
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 6 years. Moved from Baltimore for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. real estate 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is decent - 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. Riverside schools are tough. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Andrew
spot on
24 upvotes
Elijah Collins
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 13 years. Moved from Miami for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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. Eastside 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. Winters are long and cold. Far from beaches/mountains. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
fresno_victoria
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely average and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Springfield) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
22 upvotes
Roman Cooper
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Maple Ridge area are improving. Kids love it here.
20 upvotes
connor_soul
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The healthcare is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
14 upvotes
William S.
I've lived in Midtown for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
- The traffic scene is average
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Rising rent and home prices
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Good luck with whatever you decide..
12 upvotes
Lori P.
not my experience at all
11 upvotes
Mason
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 8 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
7 upvotes
Delilah
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Oak Park for 1 years. Moved from Boston for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. Oak Park 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. Rising rent and home prices. Limited shopping options. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes
Isabella J.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 15 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
3 upvotes
Arianna Cruz
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
All Countries
