Considering Meadville vs Indianapolis -help me decide
Just moved here 11 months ago and It's a a small town city with about 12,723 people. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Any advice would be great.
7 upvotes
6 Replies
Debra W.
I've lived in Springfield for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Active local events and festivals
- The cultural scene scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Hope this helps!.
32 upvotes
Madeline C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely better than expected and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
22 upvotes
Victoria Parker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 34, moved here 8 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The outdoor recreation situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for remote workers. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Diego, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$110K 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.
17 upvotes
Joseph Parker
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The public transit is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
12 upvotes
thomas_fan
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Greenfield. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in finance. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
All Countries
