Hello, My family moved here when I was a kid. Crime rate is something to consider — Meridian sits at 159.2 per 100K. It's a a mid-size city city with about 125K people. Median household income is $98,686, which feels pretty solid for the area. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much.
Pros:
- Nice parks and trails
- Close to nature
- Diverse community
- Strong sense of community
- Plenty of shopping options
Cons:
- Rising rent prices
- Not very walkable
- Limited dining options
- Not enough green space
Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
13 upvotes
13 Replies
Delilah H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 26, moved here 12 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Old Town and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally tough - 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 cultural scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for remote workers. tough vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K 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.
35 upvotes
Barbara S.
I've lived in Downtown for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
- The job market scene is average
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
33 upvotes
Leah Ward
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely decent and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (East) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
32 upvotes
Eleanor Jones
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
26 upvotes
Chloe Nguyen
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Fairview area are improving. Kids love it here.
24 upvotes
Noah
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely better than expected and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (The Heights) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
24 upvotes
Reagan Gonzalez
accurate
20 upvotes
Axel Peterson
Came here for work and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The dating scene is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
16 upvotes
Olivia B.
lol so true
16 upvotes
Paisley Ramos
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is average in most areas.
14 upvotes
Megan H.
Moved here from Atlanta about 5 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to job market but Good luck with whatever you decide..
12 upvotes
Connor Rivera
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is challenging in most areas.
11 upvotes
Noah Roberts
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Active local events and festivals
- The cultural scene scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. No regrets on my end..
All Countries
