My family moved here when I was a kid. Household incomes average around $53,204 in Elyria. Poverty rate is 15.0%, which is around average. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Thoughts? The weather takes some getting used to. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
6 upvotes
14 Replies
Skylar Chavez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely solid and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (North) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
36 upvotes
Mia Mitchell
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much developing but now it's decent.
34 upvotes
Peyton Brooks
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is dating scene. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
33 upvotes
Ian Baker
Used to live on the Springfield side, now on the West side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
30 upvotes
Jace T.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Maple Ridge. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in education. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Hope this helps!.
27 upvotes
local_grayson89
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 51, moved here 12 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Springfield and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The job market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for couples. solid vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Phoenix, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K 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.
27 upvotes
Mackenzie Reed
been saying this for years
26 upvotes
Benjamin Hill
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (East) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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
Robert
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
11 upvotes
Allison Morales
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 15 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
10 upvotes
Mia Sanchez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely excellent and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Highland) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene 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
Sophia Evans
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The nightlife is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
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