So, My family moved here when I was a kid. Poverty rate is 11.9%, which is around average. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Let me know your thoughts. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
23 upvotes
11 Replies
Olivia Walker
Came here for work and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The healthcare is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
38 upvotes
Sarah R.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Definitely worth checking out..
33 upvotes
Isaac Jimenez
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
32 upvotes
Julian
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 31, moved here 6 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Sunset and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The cultural scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for singles. average vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
23 upvotes
Henry H.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 12 years. Moved from San Diego for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. Meadowbrook 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Limited entertainment options. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Aaliyah R.
underrated comment
19 upvotes
Natalie M.
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great Asian places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
17 upvotes
Jack Foster
I've lived in East for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Decent public transit for the size
- The pet-friendliness scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Feel free to reach out with questions..
17 upvotes
Mia Chavez
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in East area are solid. Kids love it here.
13 upvotes
Oliver Hall
good to know, thanks
3 upvotes
Austin J.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in East. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in government. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.