Longtime lurker here, The unemployment rate is 3.8%, which is pretty low. With a population of 19,619, Forest Park is a small town. Average temperature is around 64--F, so the weather is moderate. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
8 upvotes
14 Replies
loving_emilia26
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much reasonable but now it's excellent.
40 upvotes
Vivian A.
nah I disagree
36 upvotes
Paisley R.
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good internet infrastructure
- The nightlife scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Good luck with whatever you decide..
36 upvotes
Maya F.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 5 years. Moved from Raleigh for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. 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 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. engineering 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:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is surprisingly 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. Pine Hills schools are decent. 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. Winters are long and cold. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Jackson
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
34 upvotes
Aaliyah Watson
I've lived in Springfield for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
- The safety scene is average
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
25 upvotes
Santiago Robinson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want walkability, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
25 upvotes
Gabriella K.
I've lived in Uptown for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The outdoor recreation scene is improving
The downsides:
- Limited shopping options
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Good luck with whatever you decide..
24 upvotes
Jose Taylor
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 12 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. 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 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Dating scene is rough. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Miles P.
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
18 upvotes
Amanda M.
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great seafood places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
18 upvotes
Lucas Lopez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 6 years. Moved from Houston for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. engineering 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:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook schools are hit or miss. 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Lydia S.
great question, following
6 upvotes
Clara
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 50, moved here 2 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Old Town and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Affordable housing options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Can feel isolated
3. The job market situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for retirees. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Portland, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K 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.
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