My partner and I are Rent is about $2,066/month for a decent place. Crime rate is something to consider -Malden sits at 266.7 per 100K. The median home value here is around $607,500, which is pretty steep. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Let me know your thoughts. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
3 upvotes
16 Replies
mateo_lover
it depends on the neighborhood
34 upvotes
Nova Myers
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
33 upvotes
raleighrunner2025
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: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Fairview. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Hope this helps!.
29 upvotes
Hannah G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 43, moved here 7 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Uptown and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Close to major attractions
2. Affordable housing options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Can feel isolated
3. The cost of living situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for families. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
29 upvotes
Allison Phillips
honestly same experience here
27 upvotes
Daniel J.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in North. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
26 upvotes
Samuel Ross
I'm a sales manager and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
20 upvotes
Kai Clark
Used to live on the Oak Park side, now on the Highland side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
14 upvotes
Kaylee P.
I've lived in Downtown for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Decent public transit for the size
- The cultural scene scene is average
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. No regrets on my end..
11 upvotes
Ruby L.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 13 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into running, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
10 upvotes
Caleb Wood
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 6 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
7 upvotes
Paisley Stewart
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
6 upvotes
Ann W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Oak Park. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in education. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
4 upvotes
Asher Morris
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The housing market is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
4 upvotes
Nevaeh
I work in education here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is better than expected. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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