Just moved here 17 months ago and It's a a small town city with about 8,722 people. Crime rate is something to consider -Irondale sits at 459.8 per 100K. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Am I wrong here? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
4 upvotes
14 Replies
Avery W.
facts
39 upvotes
Violet Gomez
accurate
34 upvotes
Kinsley G.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is average in most areas.
34 upvotes
Edward A.
I'm a data analyst and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
34 upvotes
Camila T.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Boston about 15 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Four distinct seasons
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are pricey, gas is tough.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Feel free to reach out with questions..
33 upvotes
Paisley Evans
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 51, moved here 13 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Oak Park and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The walkability situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for singles. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Chicago, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
28 upvotes
Gianna Robinson
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much developing but now it's solid.
27 upvotes
Nicholas Cruz
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
26 upvotes
Carter Jackson
not my experience at all
19 upvotes
Miles Jackson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 31, moved here 15 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The cost of living situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for young professionals. decent vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K 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.
17 upvotes
minneapoliswalker2023
hard disagree but ok
16 upvotes
Ella K.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
15 upvotes
Naomi Mitchell
I've lived in Sunset for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Strong job market in several industries
- The housing market scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Definitely worth checking out..
3 upvotes
Michael Diaz
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely excellent and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
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