Been meaning to ask this. Median household income is $87,105, which feels pretty solid for the area. Average temperature is around 50--F, so expect cold winters. With a population of 41,690, Marion is a smaller city. Poverty rate is 6.1%, which is pretty low. The city has invested a lot in new development. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Is this normal for Marion? The food scene here is surprisingly good. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
30 upvotes
10 Replies
Nicholas M.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
37 upvotes
Maverick Hill
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Pine Hills. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
No regrets on my end..
37 upvotes
Carter
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
24 upvotes
Aaron L.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Westside. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Hope this helps!.
22 upvotes
Skylar Price
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is traffic. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
20 upvotes
John
this is the way
19 upvotes
Piper
literally same
13 upvotes
Levi Torres
Can confirm, been here 11 years.
7 upvotes
Luna
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 12 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Homeless population growing downtown. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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