Been meaning to ask this. We're a young couple and With a population of 23,173, Maywood is a small town. It's a a small town city with about 23,173 people. Poverty rate is 14.0%, which is around average. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Worth the trade-offs? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. 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. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
15 upvotes
9 Replies
houston_willow
honestly same experience here
39 upvotes
Owen Ramirez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (East) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. weather 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.
29 upvotes
omahaguy2024
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely challenging and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (East) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
26 upvotes
Lillian Wright
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 40, moved here 4 years ago from LA. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The nightlife situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for families. average vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 LA, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K 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.
24 upvotes
Kenneth R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 6 years. Moved from Atlanta for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown schools are solid. 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. Winters are long and cold. Limited shopping options. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Carson Torres
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
13 upvotes
Christian G.
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of new development happening
- The pet-friendliness scene is improving
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. No regrets on my end..
7 upvotes
Josiah Cook
Moved here from Minneapolis about 15 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to cost of living but Hope this helps!.
6 upvotes
Evelyn M.
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great Mediterranean places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
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