I'm a college student here and Household incomes average around $66,344 in Florissant. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Thanks in advance!
20 upvotes
14 Replies
Victoria Murphy
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
31 upvotes
Johnny T.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely decent and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Springfield) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic 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.
31 upvotes
Reagan Richardson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 4 years. Moved from San Francisco for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
healthcare is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Cedar Grove schools are excellent. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Dating scene is rough. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Grayson White
Used to live on the Downtown side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
31 upvotes
chicago_aria
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Sunset area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
27 upvotes
Adrian
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Uptown) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job 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.
26 upvotes
nyc_evelyn
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Lots of new development happening
- The safety scene is solid
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Definitely worth checking out..
21 upvotes
Dominic Scott
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 30, moved here 1 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The dating scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Seattle, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $90K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
18 upvotes
orlando_skylar
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if healthcare matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
13 upvotes
Ryan Perez
hmm interesting perspective
12 upvotes
Adrian Wright
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Maple Ridge for 1 years. Moved from Dallas for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
healthcare is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Maple Ridge schools are excellent. 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. Limited high-paying job options. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
Eliana Wright
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Chicago about 9 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Four distinct seasons
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are developing, gas is tough.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. No regrets on my end..
6 upvotes
Austin Lee
This.
4 upvotes
Emilia Nelson
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
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