Hello, I'm a college student here and Average temperature is around 70--F, so the weather is moderate. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Would love some local perspective. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
8 upvotes
12 Replies
Addison Cox
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much growing but now it's challenging.
39 upvotes
Sophie Wright
lol so true
39 upvotes
Madelyn
nah I disagree
36 upvotes
Parker Alvarez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 53, moved here 10 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Can feel isolated
3. The community vibe situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for young professionals. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
32 upvotes
Audrey J.
yep
29 upvotes
Austin Young
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Pine Hills area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
29 upvotes
Emilia Hill
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Baltimore it's decent.
16 upvotes
Hudson White
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 9 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
16 upvotes
Parker Diaz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 6 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
7 upvotes
John Walker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Fairview. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
7 upvotes
Aurora Adams
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to Atlanta it's excellent.
7 upvotes
Luke
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 11 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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