We're a young couple and It's a a smaller city city with about 26,670 people. With a population of 26,670, Granite City is a smaller city. Average temperature is around 56--F, so the weather is moderate. The unemployment rate is 3.8%, which is pretty low. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
19 upvotes
23 Replies
Grace T.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 46, moved here 6 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Uptown and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The healthcare situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for remote workers. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
40 upvotes
Emmett Bennett
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
39 upvotes
raised_mason11
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Old Town. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
34 upvotes
Samuel Nguyen
I've lived in Highland for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of new development happening
- The community vibe scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Good luck with whatever you decide..
33 upvotes
Chloe Alvarez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely tough and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
30 upvotes
proud_hudson13
I work in finance here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
29 upvotes
Jackson Jones
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 9 years. Moved from Dallas for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are tough. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Gabriel W.
I've lived in North for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of new development happening
- The public transit scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. Good luck with whatever you decide..
28 upvotes
Bennett Phillips
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 30, moved here 7 years ago from LA. I've lived in Uptown and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The cultural scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for couples. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 LA, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
25 upvotes
Cameron D.
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The school system is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
21 upvotes
Jack K.
I work in construction here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is excellent. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
19 upvotes
Weston
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if cultural scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
19 upvotes
Christina M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 51, moved here 4 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Fairview and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Limited shopping options
3. The community vibe situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for young professionals. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$90K 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
Austin H.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. No regrets on my end..
18 upvotes
boston_owen
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Meadowbrook. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in construction. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
18 upvotes
Connor D.
great question, following
15 upvotes
Nora C.
seconding this
15 upvotes
Brooklyn Flores
Moved here from Raleigh about 7 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to school system but Definitely worth checking out..
14 upvotes
Teresa M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 14 years. Moved from Charlotte for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Dating scene is rough. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Olivia B.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 56, moved here 9 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in North and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Affordable housing options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The public transit situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for singles. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Nashville, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K 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.
11 upvotes
Jeremiah Patel
Used to live on the Meadowbrook side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
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