Curious what people think. We have two kids and With a population of 10,545, Heath is a small town. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Any advice would be great. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
8 upvotes
15 Replies
James J.
seconding this
40 upvotes
Natalie M.
bump
39 upvotes
Ella Miller
100%
38 upvotes
Lydia Bennett
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Downtown area are excellent. Kids love it here.
37 upvotes
Donald K.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 1 years. Moved from Dallas for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. retail 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are hit or miss. 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. Far from beaches/mountains. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Susan E.
noted, appreciate it
32 upvotes
Evan Hughes
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Minneapolis 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 hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in retail. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
24 upvotes
Emmett James
I work in real estate here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is underrated. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
23 upvotes
Maverick Adams
Moved here from Miami about 9 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to cost of living but No regrets on my end..
23 upvotes
David
nah I disagree
21 upvotes
Joseph Richardson
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Oak Park area are improving. Kids love it here.
14 upvotes
Anna Flores
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great Southern places. I love the pace of life here.
14 upvotes
Ruby Kelly
I've lived in South for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
- The cultural scene scene is improving
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
7 upvotes
Ruby R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 47, moved here 3 years ago from Boston. I've lived in North and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The weather situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for singles. pretty good 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 Boston, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K 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.
3 upvotes
Roman Edwards
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the Greenfield side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
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