Alright, I'm a college student here and The unemployment rate is 7.2%, which is concerning. Average temperature is around 50--F, so expect cold winters. Poverty rate is 7.1%, which is pretty low. It's a a small town city with about 8,427 people. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
7 upvotes
7 Replies
Silas J.
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The housing market is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
26 upvotes
Wyatt Phillips
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is community vibe. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
10 upvotes
Andrew D.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 27, moved here 5 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Lakewood and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The public transit situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for young professionals. improving vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
9 upvotes
Abigail Hall
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Hope this helps!.
7 upvotes
Dominic Thompson
I've lived in North for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good airport with direct flights
- The cost of living scene is solid
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Definitely worth checking out..
5 upvotes
Delilah Baker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Meadowbrook. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in construction. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
4 upvotes
Andrew Ortiz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 11 years. Moved from Nashville for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. Meadowbrook 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. Dating scene is rough. Homeless population growing downtown. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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