Curious what people think. The suburbs are where most families end up. The suburbs are where most families end up.
15 upvotes
15 Replies
Walter J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 52, moved here 4 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Springfield and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The job market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for couples. average 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 Austin, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
40 upvotes
mesadude2024
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
- The weather scene is improving
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Hope this helps!.
38 upvotes
Mason Cook
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 2 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
34 upvotes
Grace Evans
literally same
28 upvotes
Dylan Patel
lol so true
24 upvotes
Angel Price
been saying this for years
23 upvotes
Bella Gonzalez
honestly same experience here
22 upvotes
Skylar
Moved here from Austin about 3 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to community vibe but Feel free to reach out with questions..
20 upvotes
Andrew S.
I work in education here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is challenging. Hope this helps!.
18 upvotes
Katherine Foster
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great Mexican places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
17 upvotes
Mateo Campbell
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
13 upvotes
Sophie Nelson
yep
10 upvotes
Evan
been saying this for years
8 upvotes
Levi Gonzalez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 8 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Close to major attractions
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are developing, gas is solid.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Hope this helps!.
5 upvotes
Jose H.
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great Asian places. I love the pace of life here.