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Brandon R.
housing
Affordable areas near Kent?
Hey everyone, Property taxes are high but you get good services. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
39 upvotes
29 Replies
Avery W.
+1
39 upvotes
Evan
I've lived in Eastside for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Tampa, 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 healthcare scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Definitely worth checking out..
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Tampa, 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 healthcare scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Definitely worth checking out..
39 upvotes
Eva Morris
The food scene here is average. Tons of great Mexican places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
38 upvotes
Ariana Foster
same here
36 upvotes
Frances G.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
35 upvotes
eleanor_native
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 2 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
I've been here 2 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
34 upvotes
Theodore Lopez
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much developing but now it's hit or miss.
31 upvotes
Harper Allen
I work in real estate here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is solid. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
27 upvotes
Henry J.
noted, appreciate it
26 upvotes
Avery
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Fairview. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Italian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Fairview. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Italian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
26 upvotes
Andrew M.
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The pet-friendliness is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
24 upvotes
Emily W.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is challenging in most areas.
19 upvotes
Cooper Peterson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 3 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
I've been here 3 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
19 upvotes
Christine T.
Moved here from Atlanta about 10 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to nightlife but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
17 upvotes
Ronald M.
I've lived in East for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Affordable housing options
- The weather scene is decent
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Affordable housing options
- The weather scene is decent
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
16 upvotes
Xavier
hmm interesting perspective
13 upvotes
Dominic Reed
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is solid in most areas.
11 upvotes
Kimberly J.
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Greenfield area are challenging. Kids love it here.
11 upvotes
Declan H.
bump
10 upvotes
mateo_dude
honestly same experience here
9 upvotes
David M.
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
6 upvotes
vegaslife2025
not my experience at all
4 upvotes
Nora Peterson
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
4 upvotes
Clara M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Downtown. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in education. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Downtown. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in education. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
3 upvotes
Gerald L.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 10 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's growing 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 improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
I've been here 10 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's growing 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 improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
3 upvotes
Santiago Jones
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Springfield. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in legal. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Springfield. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in legal. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
2 upvotes
Luna Morgan
underrated comment
1 upvotes
Evelyn Reed
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Nashville about 15 years ago. The main reasons were work and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Active local events and festivals
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Winters are long and cold
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are reasonable, gas is decent.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Feel free to reach out with questions..
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Nashville about 15 years ago. The main reasons were work and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Active local events and festivals
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Winters are long and cold
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are reasonable, gas is decent.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Feel free to reach out with questions..
1 upvotes
Mia Hughes
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 2 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
I've been here 2 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
0 upvotes