Born and raised here. The median home value here is around $420,300, which is pretty steep. Crime rate is something to consider — Miramar sits at 216.3 per 100K. Average temperature is around 76°F, so it's warm year-round. Household incomes average around $86,109 in Miramar. The city has invested a lot in new development. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Let me know your thoughts. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
57 upvotes
30 Replies
James Jones
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Oak Park. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in legal. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Indian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
40 upvotes
Audrey J.
same here
40 upvotes
Elijah
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 49, moved here 8 years ago from New York. I've lived in Greenfield and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The traffic situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for couples. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 New York, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K 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.
36 upvotes
Genesis R.
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Mexican places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
36 upvotes
Ezra Price
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
36 upvotes
Luca Ruiz
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
35 upvotes
Quinn
following this thread
35 upvotes
Luca R.
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much manageable but now it's excellent.
28 upvotes
Joseph Howard
noted, appreciate it
26 upvotes
Barbara L.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
24 upvotes
Reagan R.
+1
22 upvotes
Aria Ortiz
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
22 upvotes
Thomas Rogers
Came here for quality of life and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The cultural scene is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
21 upvotes
Daniel F.
bump
19 upvotes
Olivia R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 53, moved here 14 years ago from Portland. I've lived in East and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Nice parks and green spaces
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The safety situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for couples. tough vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Portland, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
18 upvotes
Adrian R.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
17 upvotes
Kennedy
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 9 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
16 upvotes
Amelia Gonzalez
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Active local events and festivals
- The pet-friendliness scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
14 upvotes
Zoey Adams
I've lived in South for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Lots of new development happening
- The outdoor recreation scene is improving
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
14 upvotes
Alice Gonzalez
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
11 upvotes
nyc_brooklyn
100%
11 upvotes
Abigail Ross
Saving this thread
9 upvotes
Bennett Martin
noted, appreciate it
9 upvotes
Eli N.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
7 upvotes
Sofia Wood
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Chicago it's excellent.
5 upvotes
Jacob D.
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
5 upvotes
Evan P.
I've lived in Midtown for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- The job market scene is average
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Winters are long and cold
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Feel free to reach out with questions..
3 upvotes
Adeline Lewis
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 33, moved here 13 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Greenfield and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The housing market situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for remote workers. average vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Charlotte, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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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