What I wish I knew before living in North Royalton
We have two kids and Rent is about $1,061/month for a decent place. The median home value here is around $276,300, which seems about average. Homes are going for about $276,300 on average. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
14 upvotes
12 Replies
Sebastian Anderson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Raleigh about 15 years ago. The main reasons were work and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Diverse dining options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are established, gas is challenging.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
37 upvotes
Bennett Adams
haha yep pretty much
35 upvotes
Kathleen M.
I've lived in Downtown for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Diverse dining options
- The dating scene scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. Definitely worth checking out..
29 upvotes
Jaxon Ramirez
not my experience at all
28 upvotes
Jace Turner
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Uptown. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in construction. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Definitely worth checking out..
24 upvotes
Connor Moore
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Indian places. the quality of life is solid.
16 upvotes
Leo Cook
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 2 years. Moved from Boston for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2015 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West 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. Far from beaches/mountains. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Avery Nelson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 2 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
7 upvotes
Joseph Gomez
I've lived in Uptown for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Active local events and festivals
- The safety scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Happy to answer more specific questions..
6 upvotes
Eleanor B.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 25, moved here 1 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Midtown and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The walkability situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for couples. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Boston, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K 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.
4 upvotes
columbuswalker2024
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 2 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Four distinct seasons
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are established, gas is decent.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Good luck with whatever you decide..
2 upvotes
Anthony H.
Moved here from Phoenix about 10 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to community vibe but No regrets on my end..
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