Not sure if this has been asked before, but Crime rate is something to consider -Marion sits at 260.0 per 100K. It's a a small town city with about 16,796 people. You can expect to pay around $878 for rent here. Poverty rate is 11.0%, which is around average. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
3 upvotes
7 Replies
Ezra Price
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
37 upvotes
Ariana Allen
noted, appreciate it
31 upvotes
Savannah Clark
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 27, moved here 1 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Lakewood and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The pet-friendliness situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for retirees. challenging vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Houston, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
31 upvotes
Hailey Hernandez
Moved here last year, no regrets.
25 upvotes
jacob_mama
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. weather used to be much manageable but now it's challenging.
15 upvotes
Ariana Thompson
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
14 upvotes
Landon Turner
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Seattle about 13 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Active local events and festivals
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is solid.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. No regrets on my end..
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