Hey, I work in logistics and Median household income is $46,154, which feels on the lower side for the area. Homes are going for about $286,900 on average. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to.
2 upvotes
15 Replies
Alice Walker
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 8 years. Moved from Denver for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. construction 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 not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is tough - 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 solid. 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 high-paying job options. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
kaylee_guy
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 15 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
32 upvotes
river_isaiah80
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
29 upvotes
Levi P.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to Boston it's hit or miss.
25 upvotes
Brooklyn Rodriguez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 5 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
23 upvotes
happy_claire91
following this thread
22 upvotes
Brooks Castillo
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
19 upvotes
Jerry A.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 6 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
18 upvotes
Jesse G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 25, moved here 5 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Greenfield and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
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. Limited high-paying job options
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The weather situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Charlotte, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K 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.
7 upvotes
Ezra J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 26, moved here 6 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Riverside and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The public transit situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
7 upvotes
Luca L.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
6 upvotes
Gabriella C.
I've lived in West for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Close to major attractions
- The outdoor recreation scene is tough
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. Happy to answer more specific questions..
6 upvotes
Olivia Peterson
I'm a accountant and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
4 upvotes
Sophia Mendoza
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 40, moved here 15 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in West and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Close to major attractions
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The pet-friendliness situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for young professionals. average 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 Phoenix, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K 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.
4 upvotes
Cooper
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.