First post here. It's a a small town city with about 3,143 people. The unemployment rate is 0.6%, which is pretty low. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
6 upvotes
14 Replies
Nevaeh R.
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: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Oak Park. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in real estate. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
35 upvotes
Aiden Hall
following this thread
31 upvotes
Olivia Reyes
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 11 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
27 upvotes
Nathan Hill
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
24 upvotes
Piper
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Happy to answer more specific questions..
23 upvotes
Cooper Morgan
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Meadowbrook. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in finance. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
23 upvotes
Claire K.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
20 upvotes
isabelle_dude
I work in real estate here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Hope this helps!.
14 upvotes
Adam Scott
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
12 upvotes
living_piper77
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
12 upvotes
Olivia Jimenez
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
4 upvotes
Katherine
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 29, moved here 1 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Lakewood and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The community vibe situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for remote workers. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Atlanta, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K 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.
3 upvotes
Victoria B.
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 12 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 Denver, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Close to major attractions
- The community vibe scene is tough
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Definitely worth checking out..
0 upvotes
Abigail Price
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Nashville about 3 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong job market in several industries
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are competitive, gas is underrated.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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