So, Been living here since 2009. Median household income is $105,579, which feels pretty solid for the area. Household incomes average around $105,579 in Matthews. The suburbs are where most families end up. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Thanks!
19 upvotes
23 Replies
Jameson Chavez
wish I knew this sooner
40 upvotes
Adeline Williams
Used to live on the Eastside side, now on the Fairview side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
38 upvotes
Genesis M.
100%
36 upvotes
lake_riley16
I'm a real estate agent and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
31 upvotes
Maria M.
preach
30 upvotes
oakland_carson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 9 years. Moved from Charlotte for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is average - 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. East schools are pretty good. 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. Limited entertainment options. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
loving_henry86
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Lakewood. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
26 upvotes
Luca
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (West) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
25 upvotes
Olivia
preach
24 upvotes
Maverick Foster
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Highland. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Hope this helps!.
24 upvotes
Logan
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
23 upvotes
Skylar
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
23 upvotes
Amelia Patel
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to LA it's excellent.
22 upvotes
Sofia Cooper
Came here for cost of living and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The pet-friendliness is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
22 upvotes
Audrey Ross
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 6 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into running, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
19 upvotes
Grayson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Riverside. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in education. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Thai.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
15 upvotes
Daniel
great question, following
13 upvotes
Aaron Kim
honestly same experience here
10 upvotes
Charles H.
as a local I can confirm
9 upvotes
Emily W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 53, moved here 13 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Greenfield and Springfield, 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 underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The community vibe situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 San Francisco, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
9 upvotes
Aria Sanders
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
8 upvotes
Nathan D.
this is the way
7 upvotes
Noah Rodriguez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in The Heights. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Thai.
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