Hey folks, I'm retired and Poverty rate is 2.4%, which is pretty low. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development.
0 upvotes
9 Replies
Kayden C.
haha yep pretty much
33 upvotes
Kai S.
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
29 upvotes
Audrey
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 32, moved here 8 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Close to major attractions
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The safety situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for families. underrated 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 Chicago, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K 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.
26 upvotes
Elena M.
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The public transit is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
21 upvotes
Landon R.
Came here for family and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The housing market is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
17 upvotes
Olivia Anderson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
11 upvotes
Elijah Kelly
big facts right here
7 upvotes
Aiden G.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 3 years. Moved from Portland for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2018 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is decent - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are better than expected. 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. Limited public transit options. Urban sprawl is real. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Liam Taylor
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in North. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
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