OK so Born and raised here. Crime rate is something to consider -Marshalltown sits at 388.9 per 100K. Poverty rate is 10.4%, which is around average. With a population of 27,491, Marshalltown is a smaller city. Household incomes average around $68,854 in Marshalltown. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Am I overthinking this? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The food scene here is surprisingly good. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
9 upvotes
17 Replies
Noah King
I've lived in West for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Decent public transit for the size
- The pet-friendliness scene is tough
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. Hope this helps!.
38 upvotes
Jace R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Highland. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
31 upvotes
xavier_kid
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Old Town area are average. Kids love it here.
23 upvotes
Luna
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
22 upvotes
Peyton C.
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
21 upvotes
Ellie Diaz
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much wild but now it's tough.
21 upvotes
Nathan Gutierrez
I'm a HR manager and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
19 upvotes
Jack P.
Totally agree!
18 upvotes
Nevaeh
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
14 upvotes
Julia Lewis
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to San Francisco it's excellent.
11 upvotes
Kai Clark
preach
5 upvotes
Jace Smith
hard disagree but ok
3 upvotes
Eli Hill
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 1 years. Moved from San Francisco for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. manufacturing 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:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Riverside schools are average. 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. Nightlife is limited. Chain restaurants dominate. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes
Silas G.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
2 upvotes
Mackenzie T.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 32, moved here 1 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Oak Park and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The traffic situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for young professionals. average 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 Nashville, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K 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.
2 upvotes
Ruby Taylor
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is dating scene. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
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