Longtime lurker here, I grew up here but left for a while. It's a a major city city with about 629K people. The median home value here is around $157,100, which is actually reasonable. Homes are going for about $157,100 on average. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Any advice would be great. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The city has invested a lot in new development. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
51 upvotes
10 Replies
everett_lover
I work in construction here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is solid. Feel free to reach out with questions..
37 upvotes
Luca R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 6 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
35 upvotes
Nova Price
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Eastside. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in marketing. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
34 upvotes
Ryan H.
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The housing market is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
27 upvotes
olivia_soul
thanks for sharing
26 upvotes
Pamela L.
been saying this for years
22 upvotes
Elena R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Denver about 5 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Active local events and festivals
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are developing, gas is underrated.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
17 upvotes
lake_lucas63
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 9 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
7 upvotes
Alexa
not my experience at all
7 upvotes
oaklandmind2021
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Denver about 14 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Active local events and festivals
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are affordable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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