Crime rate is something to consider -Jonesville sits at 239.8 per 100K. Poverty rate is 15.9%, which is higher than I expected. Median household income is $35,000, which feels on the lower side for the area. The unemployment rate is 4.2%, which is about average. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Let me know your thoughts. The weather takes some getting used to. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The weather takes some getting used to.
2 upvotes
14 Replies
Madelyn
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Cedar Grove. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in government. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
33 upvotes
Jacob Roberts
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
31 upvotes
Ellie Reed
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 5 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
27 upvotes
milwaukeemama2022
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Asian places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
25 upvotes
Jaxon Hernandez
Bought a house here in 2018 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
20 upvotes
Allison Carter
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 11 years. Moved from New York for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is decent - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are underrated. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited high-paying job options. Far from beaches/mountains. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Amelia Hill
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 10 years. Moved from Seattle for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are challenging. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Winters are long and cold. Homeless population growing downtown. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Ellie P.
underrated comment
14 upvotes
Ellie P.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 4 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into running, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
13 upvotes
Waylon A.
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community vibe is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
12 upvotes
Mateo C.
I've lived in Midtown for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Phoenix, 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
- Good internet infrastructure
- The cultural scene scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Good luck with whatever you decide..
9 upvotes
Alexa W.
it depends on the neighborhood
4 upvotes
Levi Patel
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
4 upvotes
Ruby Morales
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
All Countries
