Anyone else feel this way? We have two kids and Homes are going for about $202,600 on average. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
2 upvotes
13 Replies
Elizabeth Moore
I work in manufacturing here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Good luck with whatever you decide..
36 upvotes
Logan Parker
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 11 years. Moved from Phoenix for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is solid - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Not very walkable outside downtown. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Jose P.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Tampa about 2 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are manageable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
32 upvotes
Emma L.
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Sunset area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
32 upvotes
Hunter P.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Fairview) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
31 upvotes
Carson Carter
I work in consulting here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is average. Good luck with whatever you decide..
23 upvotes
Sofia M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Greenfield. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in tech. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Hope this helps!.
21 upvotes
Kelly T.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 2 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
18 upvotes
Abigail D.
underrated comment
17 upvotes
Madelyn Ramos
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 5 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
8 upvotes
tampa_christian
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 13 years. Moved from Charlotte for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is tough - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are improving. 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. Property taxes are high. Limited shopping options. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Greyson Allen
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Nashville it's tough.
3 upvotes
Michael Richardson
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
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