Anyone else feel this way? We have two kids and The unemployment rate is 2.2%, which is pretty low. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Let me know your thoughts. The suburbs are where most families end up.
5 upvotes
13 Replies
Mia Turner
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Chicago about 12 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are pricey, gas is solid.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
38 upvotes
Aaron Gutierrez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Pittsburgh it's decent.
37 upvotes
Everett W.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Hope this helps!.
35 upvotes
Easton L.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 47, moved here 11 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in The Heights and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The nightlife situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for couples. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Charlotte, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K 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.
33 upvotes
Cameron Brooks
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 5 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
32 upvotes
Alexa Peterson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely tough and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Old Town) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
28 upvotes
Lydia W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Chicago about 13 years ago. The main reasons were work and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Decent public transit for the size
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are wild, gas is underrated.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Definitely worth checking out..
25 upvotes
Sarah A.
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The housing market is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
25 upvotes
Genesis Lopez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 11 years. Moved from Baltimore for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. East schools are solid. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Can feel isolated. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
Isabella Brooks
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
17 upvotes
Joshua Howard
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
12 upvotes
Colton Jimenez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 27, moved here 1 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in North and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Close to major attractions
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The traffic situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for remote workers. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Chicago, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
7 upvotes
Waylon Gonzalez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 33, moved here 11 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Eastside and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Limited shopping options
3. The dating scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K 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.
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