Hello, I'm originally from Indianapolis and Poverty rate is 23.2%, which is higher than I expected. Rent is about $591/month for a decent place. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Appreciate any input.
8 upvotes
5 Replies
Mackenzie Jones
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 52, moved here 2 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Riverside and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Close to major attractions
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The healthcare situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for singles. solid 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 Seattle, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
25 upvotes
Aurora
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Phoenix about 9 years ago. The main reasons were family and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Rising rent and home prices
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is excellent.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Definitely worth checking out..
20 upvotes
Easton
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely underrated and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe 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.
11 upvotes
Easton C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in The Heights. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
8 upvotes
Daniel J.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is decent in most areas.
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