Curious what people think. Crime rate is something to consider -Lyons sits at 774.0 per 100K. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
9 upvotes
11 Replies
Natalie N.
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Mexican places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
40 upvotes
Carson Stewart
Moved here from Chicago about 7 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to healthcare but Good luck with whatever you decide..
37 upvotes
vegas_aaron
literally same
36 upvotes
Ava C.
Moved here from Denver about 9 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to cost of living but Happy to answer more specific questions..
34 upvotes
Steven L.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
32 upvotes
Jordan Cook
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: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Downtown. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in tech. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
29 upvotes
atlrider2020
been saying this for years
23 upvotes
Naomi Martin
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 7 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
20 upvotes
Easton Ramirez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
16 upvotes
brooklyn_soul
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 42, moved here 5 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Westside and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The food scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Raleigh, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K 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.
9 upvotes
Adrian Thomas
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
- The public transit scene is average
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Feel free to reach out with questions..