I'm a teacher here and Rent is about $512/month for a decent place. It's a a small town city with about 6,059 people. You can expect to pay around $512 for rent here. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
7 upvotes
15 Replies
Nathan D.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 55, moved here 9 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Fairview and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The pet-friendliness situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for couples. improving 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is stable. 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.
38 upvotes
Joshua Ortiz
Came here for weather and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The healthcare is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
33 upvotes
Josiah Stewart
same here
32 upvotes
Weston Robinson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 39, moved here 15 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Oak Park and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The food scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for singles. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Boston, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K 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.
27 upvotes
Elena
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Pine Hills. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
25 upvotes
Daniel Ortiz
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
22 upvotes
Delilah W.
Moved here from Phoenix about 9 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to weather but Definitely worth checking out..
22 upvotes
Angela G.
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The food scene is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
10 upvotes
julian_fan
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The healthcare is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
9 upvotes
Andrew King
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The community vibe is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
7 upvotes
Joseph Roberts
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Boston about 8 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are reasonable, gas is challenging.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Happy to answer more specific questions..
6 upvotes
Adam C.
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
5 upvotes
Vivian M.
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
3 upvotes
Amelia W.
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor recreation is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
3 upvotes
Luna Jimenez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 58, moved here 15 years ago from New York. I've lived in Highland and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The safety situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for singles. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 New York, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K 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.
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