So, I'm a college student here and Crime rate is something to consider -Lauderhill sits at 784.9 per 100K. The weather takes some getting used to. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
16 upvotes
25 Replies
Colton G.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 9 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
39 upvotes
anna_walker
facts
39 upvotes
Naomi Green
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great Korean places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
38 upvotes
Luna R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 7 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is safety. 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 camping, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
35 upvotes
Evan Hernandez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 2 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
32 upvotes
Sadie S.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 10 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
31 upvotes
Natalie M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Springfield. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
27 upvotes
Kayden T.
lol so true
21 upvotes
Elena Ross
Used to live on the South side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
20 upvotes
Nova Gray
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Oak Park area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
18 upvotes
Ryan C.
Came here for weather and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The healthcare is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
17 upvotes
Cameron H.
I've lived in The Heights for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
- The food scene scene is tough
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
16 upvotes
Hannah Lee
been saying this for years
15 upvotes
Kaylee M.
+1
14 upvotes
John Long
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
11 upvotes
Camila N.
Came here for work and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The community vibe is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
8 upvotes
Dominic Stewart
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 41, moved here 12 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Maple Ridge and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Close to major attractions
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Limited shopping options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
8 upvotes
Margaret R.
I'm a HR manager and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
7 upvotes
Nora Roberts
following this thread
7 upvotes
Wyatt Ruiz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 31, moved here 14 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Uptown and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Property taxes are high
3. The pet-friendliness situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Nashville, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$90K 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.
6 upvotes
Adrian Chavez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely solid and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit 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.
4 upvotes
Henry Richardson
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Eastside area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
4 upvotes
Julian Torres
this is the way
3 upvotes
Emilia Hernandez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from New York about 10 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Active local events and festivals
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are stable, gas is excellent.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. No regrets on my end..
1 upvotes
Brielle Roberts
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if traffic matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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