Hey folks, Rent is about $966/month for a decent place. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Has anyone dealt with this?
13 upvotes
11 Replies
Emilia Foster
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 38, moved here 6 years ago from LA. I've lived in Eastside and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The outdoor recreation situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for singles. solid vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 competitive. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K 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.
38 upvotes
Madeline Campbell
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The dating scene scene is average
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
36 upvotes
Daniel Thompson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
35 upvotes
Victoria Reed
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
22 upvotes
Kennedy
+1
21 upvotes
Jordan R.
same here
16 upvotes
Daniel Foster
accurate
14 upvotes
native_zoey6
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 11 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
13 upvotes
Matthew H.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Chicago about 15 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are affordable, gas is solid.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Definitely worth checking out..
6 upvotes
luca_soul
This.
2 upvotes
Sophie
I've lived in Greenfield for about 6 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 Baltimore, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
- The dating scene scene is solid
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Winters are long and cold
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. No regrets on my end..
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