Hey everyone, It's a a small town city with about 2,758 people. The unemployment rate is 3.0%, which is pretty low. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Anyone in a similar situation? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
12 upvotes
6 Replies
Christian Morales
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The traffic is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
38 upvotes
Isaac Smith
Moved here last year, no regrets.
38 upvotes
Alexander Nelson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 8 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Waylon
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 26, moved here 12 years ago from Miami. I've lived in South and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Active local events and festivals
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 cultural scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for singles. average 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 Miami, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$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.
15 upvotes
Evan
literally same
9 upvotes
Logan Mitchell
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Cedar Grove. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in tech. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
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