First post here. I'm single, late 20s, and Household incomes average around $67,201 in Forest Park. With a population of 19,994, Forest Park is a small town. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Any advice would be great.
2 upvotes
7 Replies
Owen
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Fairview. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in education. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
34 upvotes
Easton M.
nah I disagree
20 upvotes
Harper Thomas
as a local I can confirm
18 upvotes
Aaliyah
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 29, moved here 2 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The cost of living situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for remote workers. hit or miss 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 Raleigh, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K 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.
13 upvotes
Zoey Murphy
hard disagree but ok
11 upvotes
Ariana Hughes
hmm interesting perspective
1 upvotes
Kai Rogers
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 tough and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (North) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
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