Hi all, Been living here since 2020. Median household income is $88,291, which feels pretty solid for the area. It's a a smaller city city with about 72,772 people. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Let me know your thoughts. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
0 upvotes
28 Replies
Mia Gomez
Used to live on the Oak Park side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
40 upvotes
Jeremiah
Used to live on the Cedar Grove side, now on the Greenfield side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
39 upvotes
Everett Johnson
yeah no that's not right
39 upvotes
Anna C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 24, moved here 9 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in South and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited shopping options
3. The weather situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
38 upvotes
noah_fan
hard disagree but ok
37 upvotes
Hannah T.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
36 upvotes
Sebastian Peterson
yep
35 upvotes
Jace Foster
been saying this for years
35 upvotes
Nora Rogers
+1
31 upvotes
Jacob O.
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
29 upvotes
Aiden Parker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Eastside. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in legal. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
29 upvotes
Reagan Alvarez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Pittsburgh it's better than expected.
29 upvotes
Ashley B.
it depends on the neighborhood
28 upvotes
Owen Diaz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 1 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
26 upvotes
Kayla P.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if cultural scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
22 upvotes
Savannah Smith
seconding this
21 upvotes
Luke Ross
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 7 years. Moved from Baltimore for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
legal is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have lakes 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 better than expected. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Far from beaches/mountains. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Everly Sanchez
thanks for sharing
19 upvotes
Peyton H.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 14 years. Moved from Denver for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is improving - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are pretty good. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Isaiah Hughes
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 13 years here, that's my honest assessment.
16 upvotes
Anna Brooks
underrated comment
10 upvotes
Aurora Davis
I work in tech here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Hope this helps!.
9 upvotes
Maverick Alvarez
Totally agree!
9 upvotes
nycmama2024
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Cedar Grove area are underrated. Kids love it here.
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