Hi all, Military spouse here. With a population of 5,037, Milan is a small town. Median household income is $61,188, which feels about average for the area. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Am I overthinking this? The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
3 upvotes
15 Replies
Caleb
as a local I can confirm
37 upvotes
Parker Brown
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
34 upvotes
Carol C.
Bought a house here in 2020 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
28 upvotes
Angela M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 51, moved here 9 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Greenfield and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The safety situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for couples. improving vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Seattle, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
25 upvotes
emma_dude
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the Greenfield side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
22 upvotes
Anthony B.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
22 upvotes
Nora
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Chicago about 15 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are developing, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
20 upvotes
river_carter89
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
16 upvotes
Christian Gray
exactly what I was thinking
14 upvotes
Miles Lopez
Used to live on the Oak Park side, now on the Sunset side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
14 upvotes
Olivia Jimenez
I work in construction here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is pretty good. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
14 upvotes
Emma White
couldn't agree more
12 upvotes
Kaylee Ortiz
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Boston about 12 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are manageable, gas is improving.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
12 upvotes
Elizabeth F.
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
5 upvotes
aubrey_mind
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is walkability. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
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