Not sure if this has been asked before, but You can expect to pay around $1,441 for rent here. Average temperature is around 45--F, so expect cold winters. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services. What neighborhoods would you suggest? Thanks! It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
3 upvotes
10 Replies
Addison Ramirez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 37, moved here 13 years ago from New York. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The walkability situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for young professionals. pretty good 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 New York, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
40 upvotes
Olivia K.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Miami it's pretty good.
40 upvotes
Nova Smith
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 15 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in The Heights and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The cultural scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for families. underrated 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K 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.
37 upvotes
Charlotte Kelly
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Fairview area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
25 upvotes
sunny_avery32
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the Midtown side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
24 upvotes
Bella Flores
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 5 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
24 upvotes
Kai R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 56, moved here 11 years ago from New York. I've lived in Riverside and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good schools in most areas
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Can feel isolated
3. The walkability situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for retirees. underrated vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 New York, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K 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.
14 upvotes
Jose W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Phoenix 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 Riverside. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
12 upvotes
Olivia Wright
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to New York it's improving.
4 upvotes
Angel
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
All Countries
