Anyone else feel this way? Just moved here 12 months ago and With a population of 94,058, Livonia is a smaller city. The suburbs are where most families end up. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Am I overthinking this?
18 upvotes
19 Replies
Quinn H.
Saving this thread
39 upvotes
Jaxon Peterson
I work in real estate here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is underrated. Good luck with whatever you decide..
38 upvotes
Miles Kim
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
37 upvotes
Aubrey Morales
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in The Heights. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in construction. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
36 upvotes
Sophia Parker
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Korean places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
36 upvotes
Alexa Gonzalez
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in East area are improving. Kids love it here.
36 upvotes
dallaswalker2026
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 55, moved here 7 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in West and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cost of living situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for singles. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Dallas, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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
Camila Taylor
Bought a house here in 2023 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
33 upvotes
Kennedy W.
this is the way
31 upvotes
David Morgan
interesting, hadn't considered that
27 upvotes
Autumn M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Atlanta about 11 years ago. The main reasons were family and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are manageable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Happy to answer more specific questions..
26 upvotes
kayden_rider
Used to live on the Eastside side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
23 upvotes
Julie M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Springfield. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
No regrets on my end..
22 upvotes
Jameson B.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 11 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
21 upvotes
Elijah W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from New York about 9 years ago. The main reasons were work and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are pricey, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Hope this helps!.
20 upvotes
Isabelle Cook
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from San Francisco about 10 years ago. The main reasons were school and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are stable, gas is excellent.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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