I work in healthcare and Homes are going for about $111,800 on average. Household incomes average around $51,296 in McRae-Helena. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Any advice would be great.
10 upvotes
15 Replies
Naomi Moore
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 28, moved here 4 years ago from New York. I've lived in Westside and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The dating scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for young professionals. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 New York, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
35 upvotes
Elijah Murphy
Used to live on the Westside side, now on the Downtown side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
34 upvotes
Isla Robinson
haha yep pretty much
32 upvotes
Caroline Morgan
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
32 upvotes
Roman Cooper
great question, following
29 upvotes
Sarah C.
Moved here from Boston about 7 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to community vibe but Good luck with whatever you decide..
27 upvotes
Genesis W.
I've lived in Oak Park for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The dating scene scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Happy to answer more specific questions..
27 upvotes
Reagan Gonzalez
been saying this for years
26 upvotes
Helen H.
Bought a house here in 2024 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
17 upvotes
Vincent J.
I've lived in Greenfield for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The dating scene scene is average
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Hope this helps!.
16 upvotes
Asher R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Austin about 11 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are growing, gas is improving.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Good luck with whatever you decide..
14 upvotes
Sarah Jimenez
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
7 upvotes
Hannah Y.
yep
3 upvotes
Jackson G.
Bought a house here in 2020 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
2 upvotes
Ryan
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 35, moved here 13 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Old Town and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The public transit situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for young professionals. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Dallas, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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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