Hey, I'm originally from Miami and Rent is about $945/month for a decent place. The suburbs are where most families end up. What would you do? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
15 upvotes
15 Replies
Serenity Mitchell
underrated comment
40 upvotes
Connor M.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Good luck with whatever you decide..
39 upvotes
Adeline L.
this is the way
38 upvotes
Genesis Miller
noted, appreciate it
36 upvotes
Jose
+1
36 upvotes
Cooper Price
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Downtown area are solid. Kids love it here.
35 upvotes
Arianna Thompson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 26, moved here 1 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The job market situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for singles. solid vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
34 upvotes
Zoe W.
Used to live on the South side, now on the Greenfield side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
33 upvotes
Joseph Allen
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 6 years. Moved from San Francisco for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2020 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. healthcare 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 was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside 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. Limited high-paying job options. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Allison B.
hmm interesting perspective
26 upvotes
Hunter Bennett
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Phoenix about 12 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are developing, gas is challenging.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Good luck with whatever you decide..
24 upvotes
Madelyn W.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely average and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
12 upvotes
Deborah R.
been saying this for years
12 upvotes
Nova Myers
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 8 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
4 upvotes
Jaxon Lopez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 14 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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