Longtime lurker here, Crime rate is something to consider -Medina sits at 79.1 per 100K.
19 upvotes
28 Replies
Jace W.
Used to live on the Eastside side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
39 upvotes
Isabelle White
Used to live on the Cedar Grove side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
38 upvotes
austin_hudson
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor recreation is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
38 upvotes
Dylan Turner
it depends on the neighborhood
38 upvotes
Colton Diaz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 24, moved here 8 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Old Town and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The public transit situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for couples. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K 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.
35 upvotes
Anna Brown
I'm a data analyst and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
31 upvotes
Hudson Stewart
Used to live on the Oak Park side, now on the Greenfield side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
30 upvotes
Miles Sanchez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 14 years. Moved from Seattle for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are improving. 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. Limited shopping options. Limited entertainment options. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Genesis R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 15 years. Moved from Seattle for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook schools are surprisingly 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Nightlife is limited. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Julian Chavez
I've lived in Uptown for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The weather scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
27 upvotes
Mia Taylor
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 8 years. Moved from Phoenix for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2023 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is decent - we have mountains 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 improving. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Road conditions need improvement. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Joshua M.
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The pet-friendliness is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
24 upvotes
Benjamin R.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Houston it's excellent.
16 upvotes
tampa_wyatt
I've lived in Springfield for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good airport with direct flights
- The cultural scene scene is improving
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
14 upvotes
Brielle Flores
haha yep pretty much
13 upvotes
Genesis Perez
I work in retail here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is challenging. No regrets on my end..
12 upvotes
Leonardo Alvarez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 15 years ago. The main reasons were family and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Lots of new development happening
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are growing, gas is decent.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Definitely worth checking out..
12 upvotes
Mia M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Charlotte about 11 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Diverse dining options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are pricey, gas is decent.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
10 upvotes
Ava Ruiz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 39, moved here 3 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Sunset and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The safety situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for singles. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Baltimore, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$90K 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.
9 upvotes
Isaac Ward
great question, following
8 upvotes
Axel W.
underrated comment
8 upvotes
mountain_sarah97
hmm interesting perspective
7 upvotes
Alexa Perez
facts
6 upvotes
Quinn Rogers
thanks for sharing
5 upvotes
Miles P.
Used to live on the Cedar Grove side, now on the East side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
3 upvotes
Angel Williams
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in South. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
3 upvotes
Nevaeh
Came here for quality of life and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The walkability is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.