With a population of 11,286, Ravenna is a small town. Median household income is $52,368, which feels on the lower side for the area. Poverty rate is 17.6%, which is higher than I expected. You can expect to pay around $885 for rent here. It's a a small town city with about 11,286 people. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up.
Pros:
- Nice parks and trails
- Good schools
- Plenty of shopping options
Cons:
- Sprawl everywhere
- Not very walkable
- Boring for young people
- Mosquitoes and humidity
- Homelessness issues downtown
Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
13 upvotes
11 Replies
Bella Howard
Bought a house here in 2016 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone about the same since then.
37 upvotes
Alexander
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
31 upvotes
Nolan Rivera
Moved here from Nashville about 14 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to walkability but Feel free to reach out with questions..
31 upvotes
Wyatt Rogers
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 50, moved here 10 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Old Town and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally improving - 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 housing market situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for remote workers. tough 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 Portland, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
29 upvotes
Nora Roberts
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Miami it's hit or miss.
26 upvotes
Mia Young
Can confirm, been here 15 years.
24 upvotes
mesa_vivian
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Pine Hills. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in legal. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Hope this helps!.
15 upvotes
Jeremiah T.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 3 years. Moved from Seattle for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is tough - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are improving. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Limited shopping options. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
jaxdude2023
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 10 years. Moved from Houston for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Springfield schools are hit or miss. 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. Nightlife is limited. Limited entertainment options. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Asher Wood
been saying this for years
8 upvotes
Ruby Lee
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Greenfield. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in government. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Italian.
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