Hello, We have two kids and With a population of 16,334, Mattoon is a small town. Crime rate is something to consider -Mattoon sits at 465.1 per 100K. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The suburbs are where most families end up. Let me know your thoughts. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
0 upvotes
5 Replies
jose_vibes
Moved here from Pittsburgh about 9 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to weather but Hope this helps!.
39 upvotes
Kayden S.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in West. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in government. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
39 upvotes
Bennett Patel
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 44, moved here 9 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Riverside and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The public transit situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for retirees. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Atlanta, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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
Melanie Castillo
good to know, thanks
18 upvotes
David C.
I've lived in The Heights for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Four distinct seasons
- The pet-friendliness scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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