Hi all, You can expect to pay around $1,606 for rent here. With a population of 76,086, Rochester Hills is a smaller city. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Anyone in a similar situation?
18 upvotes
28 Replies
Justin P.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
40 upvotes
Lily Rogers
couldn't agree more
39 upvotes
Liam P.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Old Town. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in marketing. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
38 upvotes
Willow
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
37 upvotes
Hunter Torres
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The cost of living is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
33 upvotes
Alice Martinez
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much affordable but now it's surprisingly good.
32 upvotes
vegas_aurora
Moved here from Houston about 7 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to food scene but Hope this helps!.
30 upvotes
Violet
Came here for retirement and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The community vibe is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
28 upvotes
Sebastian
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great farm-to-table places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
26 upvotes
Ariana Reed
I work in marketing here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is tough. Good luck with whatever you decide..
25 upvotes
Piper Brown
This.
24 upvotes
Lydia C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Raleigh about 5 years ago. The main reasons were weather and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Lots of new development happening
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are growing, gas is underrated.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Happy to answer more specific questions..
24 upvotes
Clara Lewis
nah I disagree
20 upvotes
Cooper Myers
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
15 upvotes
Cooper H.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Highland) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
15 upvotes
Savannah Baker
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Maple Ridge area are solid. Kids love it here.
15 upvotes
fresno_henry
nah I disagree
14 upvotes
maya_guy
glad someone said it
13 upvotes
Diane T.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 13 years. Moved from Dallas for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2016 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:**
real estate is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. The Heights schools are challenging. 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. Winters are long and cold. Limited high-paying job options. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Bennett Phillips
exactly what I was thinking
8 upvotes
Kaylee Baker
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Dallas it's underrated.
6 upvotes
Samuel
Bought a house here in 2016 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
6 upvotes
Lillian Bailey
couldn't agree more
6 upvotes
Michael Davis
Came here for quality of life and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The cultural scene is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
5 upvotes
Sarah
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Highland area are challenging. Kids love it here.
4 upvotes
Victoria C.
been saying this for years
2 upvotes
Zoe Myers
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 7 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
1 upvotes
Leah
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 9 years. Moved from Houston for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. Midtown schools are excellent. 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. Property taxes are high. Homeless population growing downtown. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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