I relocated for work and The median home value here is around $266,900, which seems about average. Average temperature is around 73--F, so it's warm year-round. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cheers. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
6 upvotes
30 Replies
Isla C.
hmm interesting perspective
40 upvotes
Leo Wright
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in West area are decent. Kids love it here.
40 upvotes
Harper Castillo
I work in manufacturing here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is decent. Hope this helps!.
39 upvotes
Zoe Bennett
exactly what I was thinking
39 upvotes
Donna M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Raleigh about 4 years ago. The main reasons were weather and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good internet infrastructure
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are manageable, gas is excellent.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Good luck with whatever you decide..
38 upvotes
Piper Sanchez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
38 upvotes
Hunter Campbell
Used to live on the Greenfield side, now on the South side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
37 upvotes
Everett S.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 43, moved here 7 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Fairview and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The traffic situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for retirees. 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 Minneapolis, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$130K 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.
36 upvotes
Leo
preach
33 upvotes
Camila C.
haha yep pretty much
33 upvotes
Miles Peterson
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Oak Park area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
27 upvotes
Brielle Chavez
I'm a real estate agent and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
26 upvotes
Kayden Anderson
hard disagree but ok
26 upvotes
Santiago T.
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
24 upvotes
Rylee Miller
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
21 upvotes
Jose Chavez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 2 years. Moved from Raleigh for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2018 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are pretty good. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Summers can be brutally hot. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
Sofia Ortiz
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
17 upvotes
Nora Torres
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
16 upvotes
Wesley S.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 51, moved here 4 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Downtown and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The safety situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for singles. decent 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 Minneapolis, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K 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.
14 upvotes
Nevaeh Bennett
been saying this for years
13 upvotes
Stella Davis
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 4 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
13 upvotes
Clara
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is tough in most areas.
11 upvotes
Nathan Mitchell
accurate
10 upvotes
Camila Williams
big facts right here
9 upvotes
Jeremiah
great question, following
6 upvotes
Audrey Roberts
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
5 upvotes
Eleanor Cook
I'm a data analyst and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
All Countries
