So, I'm a remote worker and Poverty rate is 1.8%, which is pretty low. Median household income is $94,882, which feels pretty solid for the area. You can expect to pay around $1,367 for rent here. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The city has invested a lot in new development. Any advice would be great. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The city has invested a lot in new development.
8 upvotes
12 Replies
Willow Wright
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
40 upvotes
Nicholas Bennett
Totally agree!
38 upvotes
Jack Foster
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
34 upvotes
Isabella Gonzalez
literally same
25 upvotes
Silas W.
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
22 upvotes
Madeline Miller
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 26, moved here 10 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The weather situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for couples. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Baltimore, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
21 upvotes
Cooper Jimenez
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Meadowbrook area are solid. Kids love it here.
13 upvotes
Riley Ward
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 48, moved here 8 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in West and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The housing market situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for couples. tough vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Seattle, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
9 upvotes
Joseph W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 36, moved here 4 years ago from Portland. I've lived in North and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good internet infrastructure
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. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The community vibe situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for young professionals. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K 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.
9 upvotes
Jaxon Hernandez
Bought a house here in 2023 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
4 upvotes
Peyton Foster
+1
3 upvotes
Mateo Jackson
I'm a teacher and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is average and there's always something going on.
All Countries
