Alright, Household incomes average around $64,380 in Parkway. Is this normal for Parkway? It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
7 upvotes
13 Replies
Santiago Ramirez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in East. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
40 upvotes
Madeline Mitchell
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 50, moved here 12 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Cedar Grove and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The safety situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Francisco, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$130K 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.
38 upvotes
Alexander Evans
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 47, moved here 12 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Downtown and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The walkability situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for retirees. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Raleigh, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
38 upvotes
Kennedy Hall
Used to live on the Springfield side, now on the Maple Ridge side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
29 upvotes
Olivia Sanchez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 15 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
26 upvotes
Nathan Martin
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Springfield) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
24 upvotes
Evelyn Lee
yeah no that's not right
23 upvotes
Amelia A.
interesting, hadn't considered that
21 upvotes
Cynthia T.
been saying this for years
19 upvotes
Xavier M.
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
16 upvotes
Julia Scott
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Pittsburgh 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 Springfield. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in retail. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
No regrets on my end..
8 upvotes
Samuel
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much developing but now it's decent.
3 upvotes
Waylon
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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