Curious what people think. Household incomes average around $64,504 in Melbourne. You can expect to pay around $1,411 for rent here. It's a a smaller city city with about 85,718 people. Median household income is $64,504, which feels about average for the area. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Has anyone dealt with this? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The city has invested a lot in new development. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
18 upvotes
17 Replies
Ryan W.
Bought a house here in 2017 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone about the same since then.
39 upvotes
cincy_andrew
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
38 upvotes
Elena S.
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
35 upvotes
Sadie Green
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Definitely worth checking out..
32 upvotes
Ellie L.
glad someone said it
32 upvotes
Ezra Murphy
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely pretty good and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
30 upvotes
nolafan2023
I'm a electrician and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
29 upvotes
omahanative2021
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Boston it's surprisingly good.
28 upvotes
Jeremiah Mitchell
I'm a chef and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
22 upvotes
Ruby
accurate
21 upvotes
Frank S.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Springfield. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Asian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
18 upvotes
Arianna Hill
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Asian places. it was the best decision I ever made.
17 upvotes
Gabriel King
interesting, hadn't considered that
13 upvotes
Connor
same here
11 upvotes
Gabriel B.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Happy to answer more specific questions..
10 upvotes
Mia C.
Moved here from San Diego about 5 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to housing market but Happy to answer more specific questions..
7 upvotes
stllocal2022
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 53, moved here 3 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The cost of living situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for retirees. excellent 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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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