Anyone else feel this way? I'm originally from Salt Lake City and You can expect to pay around $364 for rent here. Poverty rate is 36.7%, which is higher than I expected. Household incomes average around $35,380 in Little Round Lake. Rent is about $364/month for a decent place. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
13 upvotes
8 Replies
Kaylee J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 42, moved here 10 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Pine Hills and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited shopping options
3. The weather situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for young professionals. average vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Miami, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
38 upvotes
Weston Nelson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 55, moved here 12 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in South and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The traffic situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for couples. solid vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
37 upvotes
Ezekiel M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 11 years. Moved from Chicago for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. engineering 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 genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is solid - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook schools are underrated. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
oaklandrider2024
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to Baltimore it's better than expected.
30 upvotes
Sarah
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Springfield. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in construction. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
25 upvotes
Amelia Patel
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
23 upvotes
Bella Hall
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
18 upvotes
Caleb Johnson
Came here for retirement and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The cost of living is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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