Hey, Median household income is $45,633, which feels on the lower side for the area. It's a a smaller city city with about 31,866 people. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
8 upvotes
5 Replies
Genesis King
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
35 upvotes
Avery
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much wild but now it's tough.
26 upvotes
jaxnative2022
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely pretty good and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
16 upvotes
Paisley Hernandez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in South. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
6 upvotes
Victoria Gonzalez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 30, moved here 3 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Greenfield and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Property taxes are high
3. The nightlife situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 competitive. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
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