Just moved here 18 months ago and With a population of 76,086, Rochester Hills is a smaller city. Homes are going for about $377,400 on average. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Has anyone dealt with this? Looking forward to hearing from you all.
2 upvotes
7 Replies
Hailey Williams
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from San Francisco about 7 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good internet infrastructure
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are pricey, gas is underrated.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
40 upvotes
Landon S.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 30, moved here 6 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Meadowbrook and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited shopping options
3. The dating scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for young professionals. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Seattle, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
34 upvotes
Eli Richardson
couldn't agree more
33 upvotes
Charlotte Walker
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely pretty good and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
32 upvotes
Madeline Kim
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Downtown. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
29 upvotes
Henry Gomez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is traffic. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
29 upvotes
Jeremiah Nelson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 5 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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