So, The median home value here is around $95,500, which is actually reasonable. Household incomes average around $40,602 in Malvern. Average temperature is around 61--F, so the weather is moderate. Median household income is $40,602, which feels on the lower side for the area. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up. Am I wrong here? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
13 upvotes
13 Replies
Austin Gonzalez
Came here for family and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The safety is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
39 upvotes
Charlotte A.
I've lived in East for about 2 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 Chicago, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Lots of new development happening
- The walkability scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Good luck with whatever you decide..
39 upvotes
Kaylee Thomas
thanks for sharing
37 upvotes
Carter Brooks
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 13 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
34 upvotes
native_evan65
following this thread
34 upvotes
Nova Smith
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great craft beer places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
34 upvotes
true_evan13
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely challenging and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (The Heights) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
32 upvotes
Douglas R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 54, moved here 5 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Lakewood and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Strong sense of community
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. Road conditions need improvement
3. The school system situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for young professionals. tough vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Charlotte, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
27 upvotes
Maverick Wright
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 10 years. Moved from Tampa for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North 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. Nightlife is limited. Homeless population growing downtown. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Lillian D.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Pine Hills. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in engineering. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
25 upvotes
Jonathan Anderson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Nashville about 5 years ago. The main reasons were family and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Close to major attractions
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are stable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Happy to answer more specific questions..
23 upvotes
Gabriella Howard
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Old Town area are tough. Kids love it here.
16 upvotes
Katherine Phillips
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The public transit is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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