Worst things about Rochester Hills nobody talks about
Longtime lurker here, Is this normal for Rochester Hills? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
17 upvotes
8 Replies
Ellie Adams
+1
39 upvotes
Liam
This.
34 upvotes
Gabriella Hall
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
32 upvotes
Alexander C.
exactly what I was thinking
11 upvotes
Peyton Mitchell
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in West. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in government. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
10 upvotes
sadie_heart
Saving this thread
9 upvotes
Logan C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 51, moved here 2 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in The Heights and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Property taxes are high
3. The healthcare situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for retirees. better than expected 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 Tampa, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K 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.
8 upvotes
Vivian
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Baltimore about 12 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of new development happening
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are wild, gas is underrated.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Feel free to reach out with questions..
All Countries
