Longtime lurker here, Median household income is $76,969, which feels about average for the area. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to. Has anyone dealt with this? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up.
14 upvotes
6 Replies
Michael Phillips
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 33, moved here 7 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Eastside and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The public transit situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for remote workers. hit or miss 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 Houston, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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
Megan G.
seconding this
22 upvotes
Emily M.
interesting, hadn't considered that
14 upvotes
Joseph Rogers
not my experience at all
8 upvotes
Austin Martinez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 2 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into running, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
3 upvotes
Josiah Parker
I've lived in Eastside for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- The cost of living scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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