So, My partner and I are Average temperature is around 65--F, so the weather is moderate. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
1 upvotes
24 Replies
Serenity P.
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
40 upvotes
nyc_sophie
great question, following
40 upvotes
Elijah G.
interesting, hadn't considered that
35 upvotes
Dylan Brown
Used to live on the Cedar Grove side, now on the Meadowbrook side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
35 upvotes
Audrey Roberts
literally same
33 upvotes
Victoria C.
Came here for weather and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The traffic is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
30 upvotes
Lillian S.
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The pet-friendliness is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
29 upvotes
atlwalker2023
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Westside. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in retail. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Hope this helps!.
24 upvotes
Samuel Gonzalez
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much growing but now it's average.
22 upvotes
Julian J.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Oak Park. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in tech. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
21 upvotes
Olivia Brown
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 54, moved here 9 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Westside and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The pet-friendliness situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Baltimore, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
19 upvotes
James M.
100%
18 upvotes
Thomas Ross
Came here for work and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The housing market is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
16 upvotes
Angel H.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Midtown. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
13 upvotes
Theodore
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Phoenix about 15 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Four distinct seasons
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. No regrets on my end..
12 upvotes
Peyton
noted, appreciate it
9 upvotes
mesalife2025
glad someone said it
9 upvotes
Emma J.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
8 upvotes
Ethan Anderson
honestly same experience here
8 upvotes
James Brown
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to LA it's decent.
7 upvotes
Gianna J.
honestly same experience here
6 upvotes
Willow L.
Totally agree!
5 upvotes
Emma Brown
I've lived in Fairview for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
- The healthcare scene is solid
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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