I'm a 52-year-old teacher and The median home value here is around $359,000, which seems about average. Poverty rate is 12.6%, which is around average. You can expect to pay around $1,650 for rent here. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Worth the trade-offs? Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
36 upvotes
21 Replies
Jordan Gonzalez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 12 years. Moved from LA for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. hospitality 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:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are surprisingly 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. Road conditions need improvement. Homeless population growing downtown. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
39 upvotes
Madeline Martinez
interesting, hadn't considered that
37 upvotes
Declan Phillips
facts
36 upvotes
Logan Cook
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Decent public transit for the size
- The outdoor recreation scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. Hope this helps!.
33 upvotes
Lillian Gonzalez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 26, moved here 15 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Springfield and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Limited shopping options
3. The traffic situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for families. improving 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 Denver, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K 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.
32 upvotes
David
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is public transit. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
31 upvotes
Bobby T.
Bought a house here in 2021 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
25 upvotes
Sebastian Mitchell
exactly what I was thinking
25 upvotes
Andrew
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 8 years. Moved from San Francisco for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. Westside schools are excellent. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Road conditions need improvement. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Mateo Ruiz
I'm a software engineer and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
19 upvotes
Jayden Ruiz
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Charlotte about 5 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Close to major attractions
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are stable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Feel free to reach out with questions..
18 upvotes
Hudson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 55, moved here 10 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Uptown and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The school system situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
17 upvotes
William Gray
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great craft beer places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
10 upvotes
Wesley R.
yep
9 upvotes
Luke Collins
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The housing market is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
7 upvotes
mackenzie_life
as a local I can confirm
6 upvotes
Zoey Parker
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
6 upvotes
cincy_ezra
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Miami it's surprisingly good.
5 upvotes
Ian G.
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Riverside area are average. Kids love it here.
1 upvotes
Anna Perez
yeah no that's not right
0 upvotes
Genesis Hernandez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 42, moved here 14 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Affordable housing options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The healthcare situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for families. average 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 Nashville, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K 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.
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