Hi all, Average temperature is around 47--F, so expect cold winters. Homes are going for about $541,400 on average. Median household income is $89,724, which feels pretty solid for the area. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
1 upvotes
18 Replies
Brenda B.
bump
39 upvotes
Madelyn Green
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Seattle about 3 years ago. The main reasons were work and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Affordable housing options
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are established, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
37 upvotes
stlfan2021
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
36 upvotes
tampachef2025
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much established but now it's better than expected.
36 upvotes
Leah B.
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much reasonable but now it's tough.
34 upvotes
Serenity Morris
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Meadowbrook area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
34 upvotes
Skylar Lee
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The public transit is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
31 upvotes
orlando_declan
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
31 upvotes
Abigail R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 10 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are pricey, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
31 upvotes
Angela T.
Came here for school and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The dating scene is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
30 upvotes
Ian Clark
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 29, moved here 14 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Oak Park and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Affordable housing options
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The dating scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for retirees. average vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Diego, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K 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.
24 upvotes
Stella Young
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great seafood places. I love the pace of life here.
19 upvotes
Nova Anderson
Came here for retirement and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The food scene is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
18 upvotes
Bennett Murphy
100%
13 upvotes
native_jeremiah7
literally same
12 upvotes
Bennett Robinson
This.
10 upvotes
Leah Mendoza
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 1 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2018 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:**
manufacturing is strong here. hospitality 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 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. Downtown 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. Limited shopping options. Dating scene is rough. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
Ian Kim
I work in hospitality here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Feel free to reach out with questions..
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