Random thought, I'm a nurse at the local hospital and Crime rate is something to consider -Livonia sits at 178.3 per 100K. Homes are going for about $265,300 on average. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Would love some local perspective.
24 upvotes
11 Replies
Mia Reyes
same here
36 upvotes
columbuswalker2021
Bought a house here in 2022 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
32 upvotes
Kai Clark
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to Nashville it's better than expected.
27 upvotes
Michael Rivera
spot on
26 upvotes
Liam Morales
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 11 years. Moved from Minneapolis for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are average. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Can feel isolated. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Isabella Wilson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 2 years. Moved from Chicago for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2016 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. Highland 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Homeless population growing downtown. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Michael Ortiz
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
18 upvotes
orlandorunner2022
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 8 years. Moved from Denver for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2017 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. construction 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 improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are surprisingly good. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Urban sprawl is real. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
17 upvotes
Elijah
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
16 upvotes
Allison Lopez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 49, moved here 12 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Greenfield and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The cultural scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for couples. better than expected 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 Chicago, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K 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.
12 upvotes
Axel Miller
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 9 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into running, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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