Hey folks, We have two kids and With a population of 61,773, Marietta is a smaller city. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The weather takes some getting used to. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
13 upvotes
21 Replies
Bryan W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Highland. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in retail. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Hope this helps!.
39 upvotes
Victoria R.
I'm a electrician and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
38 upvotes
Aiden W.
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in East area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
38 upvotes
Aubrey Allen
Came here for cost of living and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community vibe is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
37 upvotes
Mia Watson
Bought a house here in 2016 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
31 upvotes
Samuel E.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 55, moved here 2 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The safety situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good 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 Seattle, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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
Piper Jackson
bump
26 upvotes
Nevaeh Collins
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Old Town. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in legal. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
23 upvotes
Jonathan Morgan
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely better than expected and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
20 upvotes
Ellie Green
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Maple Ridge area are average. Kids love it here.
19 upvotes
Charlotte Evans
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Italian places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
17 upvotes
Nora Jones
Used to live on the The Heights side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
14 upvotes
Kennedy Hall
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 4 years. Moved from Phoenix for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills 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. Winters are long and cold. Can feel isolated. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Kayden Wright
it depends on the neighborhood
11 upvotes
Emilia H.
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in West area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
6 upvotes
Chloe Adams
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 9 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Midtown and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The job market situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for families. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K 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.
6 upvotes
Charlotte S.
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Thai places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
5 upvotes
Riley O.
hmm interesting perspective
4 upvotes
melanie_native
nah I disagree
2 upvotes
Skylar Thomas
great question, following
1 upvotes
mesa_jaxon
I've lived in The Heights for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong job market in several industries
- The cultural scene scene is tough
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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