Curious what people think. I'm a nurse at the local hospital and The median home value here is around $399,100, which seems about average. Household incomes average around $110,938 in Novi. Median household income is $110,938, which feels pretty solid for the area. You can expect to pay around $1,696 for rent here. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
Pros:
- Good schools
- Strong sense of community
- Plenty of shopping options
- Active local events
- Good airport connections
Cons:
- Traffic can be terrible
- Limited dining options
- Lack of diversity
- Homelessness issues downtown
- Not enough green space
The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The city has invested a lot in new development. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The weather takes some getting used to. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
21 upvotes
19 Replies
David Taylor
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely better than expected and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability 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.
40 upvotes
Ava Rogers
I've lived in Lakewood 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 Charlotte, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Active local events and festivals
- The dating scene scene is tough
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
38 upvotes
Kinsley Lewis
yep
34 upvotes
Waylon Ramos
I'm a chef and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
33 upvotes
Leo Cooper
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Good luck with whatever you decide..
33 upvotes
Julian B.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
29 upvotes
Maya Clark
thanks for sharing
23 upvotes
Kevin W.
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much reasonable but now it's surprisingly good.
22 upvotes
Miles Lewis
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Oak Park for 8 years. Moved from San Francisco for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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. Oak Park schools are challenging. 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. Can feel isolated. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Luke Turner
Bought a house here in 2022 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
19 upvotes
Ethan Stewart
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely excellent and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
13 upvotes
Violet Brooks
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Portland 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 West. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
12 upvotes
dominic_fan
glad someone said it
8 upvotes
Kelly M.
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The cultural scene is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
8 upvotes
Thomas Jimenez
couldn't agree more
6 upvotes
Bennett
+1
3 upvotes
Logan Hill
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 48, moved here 13 years ago from Portland. I've lived in East and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Low crime in most neighborhoods
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited public transit options
3. The traffic situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for young professionals. improving vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Portland, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
3 upvotes
Eliana
this is the way
1 upvotes
Lucy Price
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Charlotte 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 Maple Ridge. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in retail. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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