The good and bad of living in Muskegon

Aurora Morris Mar 15, 2025

it depends on the neighborhood

19 upvotes

Paisley T. Mar 27, 2025

OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a physical therapist, 43, moved here 10 years ago from New York. I've lived in Pine Hills and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The housing market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for families. tough vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K 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.

8 upvotes

Kai Mendoza Mar 13, 2025

Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if traffic matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.

5 upvotes