OK so Household incomes average around $71,619 in Kettering. It's a a smaller city city with about 57,442 people. Homes are going for about $192,500 on average. Poverty rate is 6.2%, which is pretty low. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
8 upvotes
15 Replies
Cora Rodriguez
yep
38 upvotes
Evelyn Gray
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely hit or miss and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
37 upvotes
Isabella Richardson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely improving and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (West) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
36 upvotes
Allison Watson
seconding this
36 upvotes
Lucas Moore
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Raleigh it's surprisingly good.
32 upvotes
Scarlett Nelson
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Westside area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
32 upvotes
chicago_everett
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
28 upvotes
Carson Ramos
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Lakewood. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Lucy A.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely excellent and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
26 upvotes
kayden_walker
yep
23 upvotes
Ava Nelson
hmm interesting perspective
14 upvotes
Declan
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 15 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
14 upvotes
Henry
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 11 years. Moved from Minneapolis for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are better than expected. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
13 upvotes
charlotte_valentina
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 7 years. Moved from Baltimore for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. Springfield schools are average. 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 public transit options. Summers can be brutally hot. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
Sandra J.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Oak Park for 10 years. Moved from Portland for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. Oak Park schools are improving. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Limited shopping options. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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