Longtime lurker here, I'm single, late 20s, and Household incomes average around $96,317 in Livonia. It's a a smaller city city with about 94,058 people. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Am I wrong here?
15 upvotes
25 Replies
dcliving2021
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
39 upvotes
Adeline Thomas
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Eastside. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like seafood.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
39 upvotes
Savannah Sanchez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Eastside. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in tech. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
38 upvotes
Ruby Reed
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 13 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Good airport with direct flights
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are established, gas is improving.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
35 upvotes
Luke Cruz
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in West. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in construction. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
34 upvotes
Clara Edwards
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Springfield area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
33 upvotes
Angel King
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
30 upvotes
Levi Young
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
29 upvotes
Dylan Ward
preach
28 upvotes
Luke T.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 6 years. Moved from Atlanta for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. finance 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:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are hit or miss. 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. Rising rent and home prices. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
genesis_mind
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much wild but now it's solid.
28 upvotes
Russell P.
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. Happy to answer more specific questions..
26 upvotes
Aaliyah Chavez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 47, moved here 11 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Eastside and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
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. Urban sprawl is real
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The traffic situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for families. underrated 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 San Francisco, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
26 upvotes
Julian
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
25 upvotes
Adam Diaz
lol so true
25 upvotes
Daniel Smith
hard disagree but ok
22 upvotes
Betty M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 15 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
21 upvotes
Aaron Walker
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Salt Lake City it's challenging.
21 upvotes
Jordan Castillo
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much growing but now it's improving.
14 upvotes
Joseph Collins
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely average and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Springfield) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Limited shopping options.
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.
14 upvotes
Lillian Johnson
been saying this for years
13 upvotes
living_weston61
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Downtown. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in marketing. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like sushi.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
13 upvotes
Austin Moore
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
12 upvotes
Victoria C.
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Cedar Grove area are decent. Kids love it here.
2 upvotes
Luna
I've lived in Highland for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Four distinct seasons
- The community vibe scene is decent
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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