Not sure if this has been asked before, but I'm a college student here and The unemployment rate is 5.1%, which is about average. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Any advice would be great. Appreciate any input.
26 upvotes
17 Replies
Valentina Anderson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 50, moved here 12 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Eastside and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for families. solid vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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
Jack
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 3 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
35 upvotes
Matthew F.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 10 years. Moved from San Diego for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2018 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is average - 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. Meadowbrook 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Can feel isolated. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Sarah Jimenez
Can confirm, been here 13 years.
35 upvotes
Emma Scott
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 41, moved here 13 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Westside and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The housing market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for couples. tough vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
34 upvotes
Victoria Scott
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 1 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
30 upvotes
Quinn Williams
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely solid and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Springfield) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Limited shopping 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.
29 upvotes
sofia_chef
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much pricey but now it's average.
24 upvotes
Brooklyn Reed
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
23 upvotes
Wesley Jimenez
thanks for sharing
22 upvotes
Nova Mitchell
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 58, moved here 8 years ago from New York. I've lived in Highland and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The food scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for families. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 New York, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K 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.
22 upvotes
Angel Jimenez
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Maple Ridge area are decent. Kids love it here.
15 upvotes
Lucas Martin
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
13 upvotes
Sarah Parker
Moved here from San Diego about 11 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to public transit but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
11 upvotes
Miles Johnson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 7 years. Moved from Denver for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is solid - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Greenfield schools are hit or miss. 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. Nightlife is limited. Urban sprawl is real. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Wesley Taylor
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 14 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into running, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
11 upvotes
Lauren E.
I work in retail here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is decent. Definitely worth checking out..
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