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Evan Hernandez housing

Rent vs buy in Neenah -what makes sense?

Alright, I'm a teacher here and Rent is about $970/month for a decent place. Crime rate is something to consider -Neenah sits at 172.2 per 100K. It's a a smaller city city with about 27,409 people. With a population of 27,409, Neenah is a smaller city. The median home value here is around $194,700, which is actually reasonable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The city has invested a lot in new development. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.

Pros:
- Low crime in most areas
- Diverse community
- Good internet infrastructure
- Active local events

Cons:
- Limited dining options
- Few job opportunities in some fields
- Not enough green space
What are your go-to spots? Thanks for reading. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The weather takes some getting used to.
17 upvotes

14 Replies

Benjamin
I've lived in Westside for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Affordable housing options
- The nightlife scene is excellent

The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Chain restaurants dominate

Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. No regrets on my end..
38 upvotes
Rylee Lee
noted, appreciate it
37 upvotes
Camila J.
This.
36 upvotes
Lydia
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
35 upvotes
Emilia Myers
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
34 upvotes
Cameron Ramos
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Oak Park. It's surprisingly good for what you get.

Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in real estate. If you're in legal you might struggle.

People: Generally solid. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Mexican.

Hope this helps!.
32 upvotes
Ava Myers
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a electrician, 30, moved here 5 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Meadowbrook and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
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. Property taxes are high
3. The community vibe situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for retirees. surprisingly good 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 San Francisco, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$100K here.

**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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
Elijah Kelly
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a marketing manager, 58, moved here 2 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Pine Hills and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Nice parks and green spaces
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The housing market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for couples. better than expected 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 Miami, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$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.
31 upvotes
Eli Mitchell
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great farm-to-table places. it's been a really good experience overall.
22 upvotes
Daniel Taylor
big facts right here
19 upvotes
Jonathan H.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in South for 12 years. Moved from Nashville for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.

**Employment:**
tech is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have rivers 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. Limited shopping options. And walkability can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Kennedy Martinez
great question, following
14 upvotes
cincyrider2024
it depends on the neighborhood
4 upvotes
raised_lillian22
Can confirm, been here 2 years.
3 upvotes
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