Random thought, Military spouse here. Household incomes average around $55,687 in Montgomery. Median household income is $55,687, which feels about average for the area. You can expect to pay around $1,059 for rent here. Average temperature is around 67°F, so the weather is moderate. The unemployment rate is 3.8%, which is pretty low. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
Pros:
- Great weather
- Nice parks and trails
- Low crime in most areas
Cons:
- Sprawl everywhere
- Limited dining options
- Mosquitoes and humidity
- Limited cultural events
- Homelessness issues downtown
Am I wrong here? Property taxes are high but you get good services. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
46 upvotes
30 Replies
Hailey Campbell
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely excellent and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic 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.
40 upvotes
Kai S.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 6 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
38 upvotes
Emily Diaz
couldn't agree more
35 upvotes
Elena Anderson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 48, moved here 9 years ago from Denver. I've lived in East and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The nightlife situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for families. tough vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Denver, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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
Gabriella Rogers
same here
33 upvotes
Billy J.
hmm interesting perspective
33 upvotes
Camila Peterson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
32 upvotes
Claire J.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 2 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
32 upvotes
James Castillo
hard disagree but ok
31 upvotes
Ezra Howard
honestly same experience here
31 upvotes
portland_naomi
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to San Diego it's average.
31 upvotes
Elizabeth Price
spot on
30 upvotes
Samuel N.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely challenging and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Eastside) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Limited shopping 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.
27 upvotes
Santiago Hernandez
Used to live on the Springfield side, now on the Meadowbrook side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
26 upvotes
Easton C.
spot on
26 upvotes
Nolan Mendoza
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 13 years. Moved from Tampa for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are hit or miss. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited public transit options. Can feel isolated. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
William Foster
accurate
24 upvotes
Eli Sanchez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 27, moved here 7 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Affordable housing options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The traffic situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for singles. surprisingly good 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 Denver, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
23 upvotes
Gabriel
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in Oak Park area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
18 upvotes
Everly M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from New York about 1 years ago. The main reasons were work and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Active local events and festivals
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Hope this helps!.
18 upvotes
Matthew Jimenez
Used to live on the South side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
18 upvotes
Avery Cruz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 45, moved here 8 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Riverside and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The healthcare situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for families. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
17 upvotes
Joseph T.
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
16 upvotes
Ellie O.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely underrated and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Westside) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
13 upvotes
Sebastian Diaz
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much stable but now it's challenging.
9 upvotes
Lillian Edwards
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 57, moved here 7 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Greenfield and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The walkability situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for young professionals. excellent vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Tampa, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
7 upvotes
Naomi Green
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Austin about 6 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are stable, gas is average.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. No regrets on my end..
7 upvotes
Emmett Hernandez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
All Countries
