Random thought, I'm originally from San Francisco and Rent is about $1,619/month for a decent place. Homes are going for about $580,900 on average. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. Does this match your experience? There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
30 upvotes
23 Replies
Vivian Walker
good to know, thanks
38 upvotes
Santiago Scott
Used to live on the Greenfield side, now on the Meadowbrook side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
37 upvotes
Isaiah Moore
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
37 upvotes
Austin
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The cultural scene is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
37 upvotes
Patricia N.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 11 years. Moved from Denver for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
hospitality is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are challenging. 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. Property taxes are high. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Ellie
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
32 upvotes
Jack W.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
32 upvotes
Sofia Patel
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 50, moved here 10 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in East and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The public transit situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for young professionals. solid vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$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.
31 upvotes
Clara Thomas
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely improving and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (South) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
31 upvotes
Ruby Davis
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 6 years. Moved from Raleigh for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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. The Heights schools are underrated. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Property taxes are high. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Wyatt Walker
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The community vibe is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
19 upvotes
Liam Ross
+1
19 upvotes
Weston Jones
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much growing but now it's underrated.
19 upvotes
Jose Evans
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Springfield. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in consulting. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
18 upvotes
Ava
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 12 years. Moved from Denver for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are underrated. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Dating scene is rough. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Avery Harris
wish I knew this sooner
12 upvotes
Evan Robinson
glad someone said it
11 upvotes
Jose Roberts
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
7 upvotes
santiago_lover
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The public transit is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
7 upvotes
Thomas Sanders
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 6 years. Moved from Baltimore for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is solid - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are pretty good. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Not very walkable outside downtown. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
nyc_brooklyn
This.
3 upvotes
Charlotte Reed
Used to live on the Cedar Grove side, now on the Riverside side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
1 upvotes
Cooper Long
I've lived in North for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The nightlife scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Happy to answer more specific questions..
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