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Sebastian Kim
best-worst
Hueytown is underrated, change my mind
Anyone else feel this way? The unemployment rate is 4.3%, which is about average.
11 upvotes
8 Replies
Hannah
thanks for sharing
25 upvotes
Grace Bailey
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 54, moved here 3 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The pet-friendliness situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for remote workers. average vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Portland, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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 sales manager, 54, moved here 3 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The pet-friendliness situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for remote workers. average vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Portland, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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
Dominic Wood
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
20 upvotes
James C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 14 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
I've been here 14 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
18 upvotes
Benjamin N.
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
12 upvotes
Dominic
big facts right here
9 upvotes
Ian
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from San Francisco about 15 years ago. The main reasons were family and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Affordable housing options
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are stable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from San Francisco about 15 years ago. The main reasons were family and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Affordable housing options
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are stable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
5 upvotes
Skylar
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Oak Park. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Oak Park. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
0 upvotes