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Eva Phillips living

Raising a family in Norwood -thoughts?

Anyone else feel this way? I'm a college student here and Average temperature is around 52--F, so expect cold winters. Median household income is $97,110, which feels pretty solid for the area. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Is this normal for Norwood? Property taxes are high but you get good services. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The city has invested a lot in new development. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
24 upvotes

12 Replies

Waylon Cox
+1
39 upvotes
Benjamin Alvarez
Moved here from Austin about 2 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to cultural scene but Happy to answer more specific questions..
31 upvotes
Emilia Gonzalez
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
29 upvotes
waylon_guy
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the Westside side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
26 upvotes
Alice Sanders
lol so true
19 upvotes
Wesley Wright
thanks for sharing
18 upvotes
Clara Richardson
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
14 upvotes
chill_ariana20
I work in finance here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is challenging. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
13 upvotes
Dylan Evans
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Italian places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
12 upvotes
Santiago Howard
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Houston about 11 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and a job opportunity.

Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
- Affordable housing options

Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Bugs and humidity in summer

Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are competitive, gas is better than expected.

Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. No regrets on my end..
8 upvotes
Sophie Mitchell
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a pharmacist, 37, moved here 6 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in East and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The safety situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Diego, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K 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.
7 upvotes
Carson Alvarez
I work in construction here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is tough. Hope this helps!.
2 upvotes
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