Not sure if this has been asked before, but Median household income is $61,929, which feels about average for the area. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Thoughts? Cheers. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
3 upvotes
5 Replies
Leah M.
exactly what I was thinking
37 upvotes
Walter J.
+1
25 upvotes
Reagan Thomas
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 48, moved here 10 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Oak Park and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The weather situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for families. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K 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.
14 upvotes
evelyn_girl
seconding this
12 upvotes
Eli Roberts
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 8 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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