All Countries
Cooper
living
Harrison is underrated, change my mind
First post here. The median home value here is around $254,600, which seems about average. Should I be concerned?
15 upvotes
10 Replies
Everly Jackson
following this thread
38 upvotes
Xavier R.
This.
36 upvotes
Camila King
I've lived in East for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Four distinct seasons
- The walkability scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Good luck with whatever you decide..
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Four distinct seasons
- The walkability scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Good luck with whatever you decide..
34 upvotes
Skylar
been saying this for years
29 upvotes
Josiah Perez
The food scene here is average. Tons of great Italian places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
28 upvotes
Brooklyn
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 9 years ago from Houston. I've lived in East and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Affordable housing options
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The outdoor recreation situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for couples. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Houston, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
Background: I'm a teacher, 37, moved here 9 years ago from Houston. I've lived in East and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Affordable housing options
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The outdoor recreation situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for couples. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Houston, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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
Kyle T.
Used to live on the Springfield side, now on the Meadowbrook side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
12 upvotes
Roman M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Miami about 13 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Dating scene is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are affordable, gas is decent.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Miami about 13 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Dating scene is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are affordable, gas is decent.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
10 upvotes
Leonardo M.
it depends on the neighborhood
10 upvotes
Carson Sanchez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 11 years. Moved from Minneapolis for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. consulting 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:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is solid - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Limited high-paying job options. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Old Town for 11 years. Moved from Minneapolis for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. consulting 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:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is solid - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Limited high-paying job options. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
2 upvotes