Curious what people think. I'm retired and It's a a small town city with about 15,251 people. Average temperature is around 52--F, so expect cold winters. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Would love some local perspective. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
11 upvotes
15 Replies
Jacob Kelly
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
35 upvotes
Carson E.
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in Oak Park area are underrated. Kids love it here.
32 upvotes
Nicholas Brown
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
30 upvotes
jose_vibes
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 4 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
28 upvotes
Kennedy W.
Totally agree!
28 upvotes
cora_dude
same here
24 upvotes
Axel M.
preach
18 upvotes
Mason Gomez
hmm interesting perspective
17 upvotes
Anna Campbell
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
17 upvotes
Colton Hughes
hard disagree but ok
13 upvotes
Gabriella Sanchez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
13 upvotes
fresno_sebastian
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
12 upvotes
Debra W.
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 Chicago for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2020 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have mountains 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 better than expected. 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. Limited shopping options. Far from beaches/mountains. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Aiden
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The pet-friendliness is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
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