Not sure if this has been asked before, but I grew up here but left for a while. With a population of 41,690, Marion is a smaller city. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Anyone in a similar situation?
15 upvotes
15 Replies
Mateo Cruz
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
34 upvotes
Evan Peterson
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Fairview area are average. Kids love it here.
33 upvotes
Scarlett W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Seattle about 4 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Good airport with direct flights
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are affordable, gas is decent.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Hope this helps!.
30 upvotes
Carter Allen
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is decent in most areas.
28 upvotes
Eliana Bailey
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 45, moved here 10 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The walkability situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for retirees. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Tampa, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
26 upvotes
Jacob
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely tough and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Uptown) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
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.
24 upvotes
Elijah Myers
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 56, moved here 6 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Pine Hills and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The public transit situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Nashville, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K 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.
22 upvotes
Kyle P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 50, moved here 8 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Lakewood and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
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. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The safety situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for young professionals. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Portland, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K 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.
22 upvotes
Madeline Walker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Raleigh about 5 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Diverse dining options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are growing, gas is solid.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
19 upvotes
Kenneth S.
I'm a teacher and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
19 upvotes
Eva Bennett
Moved here from Pittsburgh about 6 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to cost of living but Good luck with whatever you decide..
15 upvotes
Piper Morales
Bought a house here in 2024 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
13 upvotes
Silas W.
I work in government here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is pretty good. Hope this helps!.
7 upvotes
Nora Price
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 56, moved here 2 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Close to major attractions
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The healthcare situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for couples. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Tampa, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
5 upvotes
Naomi Parker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Cedar Grove. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in real estate. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Southern.
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