I'm a 39-year-old software engineer and It's a a small town city with about 14,000 people. Household incomes average around $81,323 in Forest Park. With a population of 14,000, Forest Park is a small town. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. What do you all think? The city has invested a lot in new development. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The city has invested a lot in new development. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
11 upvotes
8 Replies
Xavier Lopez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 50, moved here 8 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Pine Hills and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The public transit situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for retirees. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Raleigh, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
29 upvotes
Heather M.
couldn't agree more
25 upvotes
Evan Myers
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is improving in most areas.
25 upvotes
Gianna
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in East. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in tech. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
24 upvotes
Caleb
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
11 upvotes
Luke Ramirez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 4 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
7 upvotes
Madeline Anderson
lol so true
7 upvotes
Jace Jones
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
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