Curious what people think. With a population of 10,088, Independence is a small town. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Would love some local perspective. Thanks in advance! Property taxes are high but you get good services. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
2 upvotes
10 Replies
Adam F.
I work in consulting here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is underrated. Hope this helps!.
40 upvotes
Lydia Y.
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Fairview area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
32 upvotes
Logan Foster
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
26 upvotes
Oliver Young
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
22 upvotes
Jordan Hughes
good to know, thanks
18 upvotes
Jeremiah Nelson
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is solid in most areas.
13 upvotes
Joshua W.
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
12 upvotes
Carson G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 48, moved here 15 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Downtown and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The safety situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for singles. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
6 upvotes
Elijah Morales
Bought a house here in 2017 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
1 upvotes
Zoey Jones
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much competitive but now it's tough.
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