You can expect to pay around $1,825 for rent here. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. What would you do? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
3 upvotes
15 Replies
Stella
I've lived in The Heights for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The housing market scene is improving
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Feel free to reach out with questions..
40 upvotes
Connor Baker
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The job market is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
38 upvotes
Gianna Myers
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 32, moved here 3 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Greenfield and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The nightlife situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for remote workers. hit or miss 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 San Francisco, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K 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.
31 upvotes
Isaac Ramirez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 2 years. Moved from Seattle for school. 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 down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. manufacturing 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 average - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook schools are average. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Can feel isolated. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Aaliyah Cook
Totally agree!
30 upvotes
charlotte_kid
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much competitive but now it's excellent.
25 upvotes
Piper C.
not my experience at all
24 upvotes
Eleanor Cooper
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 15 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's stable 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 Lakewood side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
22 upvotes
Nicholas R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 2 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
18 upvotes
Emily A.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 13 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
11 upvotes
Sophie Price
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
9 upvotes
Zoe Gray
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely average and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Sunset) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
7 upvotes
Noah C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from San Diego about 9 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are wild, gas is underrated.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
6 upvotes
Naomi Myers
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The public transit is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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