Hey everyone, Rent is about $869/month for a decent place. Crime rate is something to consider -Niles sits at 774.4 per 100K. Household incomes average around $47,815 in Niles. It's a a small town city with about 11,838 people. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Let me know your thoughts. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
7 upvotes
3 Replies
Kaylee J.
this is the way
40 upvotes
austin_vibes
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 56, moved here 1 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Lakewood and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The housing market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for couples. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Raleigh, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
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