Hello, We're a young couple and Average temperature is around 55--F, so the weather is moderate. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Is this normal for Fountainhead-Orchard Hills?
13 upvotes
13 Replies
Evelyn Cox
lol so true
37 upvotes
Ryan Scott
honestly same experience here
33 upvotes
Nova Richardson
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: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Westside. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in construction. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
26 upvotes
Pamela R.
Moved here from Seattle about 3 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to housing market but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
26 upvotes
Genesis King
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much growing but now it's underrated.
25 upvotes
Vivian Howard
same here
18 upvotes
Catherine T.
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
17 upvotes
Hailey M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 37, moved here 10 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Lakewood and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The housing market situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for retirees. solid vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Phoenix, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $60K-$70K 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.
17 upvotes
Roman N.
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
17 upvotes
Caleb Reyes
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much growing but now it's surprisingly good.
16 upvotes
Landon Jackson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 6 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
6 upvotes
Madelyn Green
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 41, moved here 15 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Westside and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
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. Winters are long and cold
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The outdoor recreation situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for young professionals. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Miami, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$70K 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.
All Countries
