Longtime lurker here, I'm a remote worker and Median household income is $61,446, which feels about average for the area. Crime rate is something to consider -Harper Woods sits at 800.2 per 100K. With a population of 15,205, Harper Woods is a small town. Household incomes average around $61,446 in Harper Woods. Average temperature is around 49--F, so expect cold winters. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
Pros:
- Good job market
- Close to nature
- Easy commute
Cons:
- Cold winters
- Poor road conditions
- Mosquitoes and humidity
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Homelessness issues downtown
What are your go-to spots? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. Property taxes are high but you get good services. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The weather takes some getting used to. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
2 upvotes
15 Replies
Wyatt Roberts
accurate
38 upvotes
Jace Parker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 44, moved here 4 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Old Town and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The housing market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for couples. improving vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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
Victoria Perez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Definitely worth checking out..
37 upvotes
James Harris
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Atlanta 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 Riverside. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
37 upvotes
Luca Harris
big facts right here
35 upvotes
Eli Kim
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
34 upvotes
Jayden Taylor
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much reasonable but now it's improving.
32 upvotes
Alexander A.
Can confirm, been here 4 years.
28 upvotes
true_jonathan9
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
24 upvotes
Scarlett
Bought a house here in 2015 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
24 upvotes
Sebastian
exactly what I was thinking
20 upvotes
Audrey Lopez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely solid and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
6 upvotes
charlottekid2024
accurate
6 upvotes
Kai Murphy
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Seattle about 7 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Active local events and festivals
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are affordable, gas is underrated.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
3 upvotes
Sophie Scott
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 58, moved here 5 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Lakewood, 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. Good schools in most areas
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The cultural scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for young professionals. average 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 Phoenix, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is affordable. 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.
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