So, We have two kids and The median home value here is around $673,300, which is pretty steep. The unemployment rate is 3.0%, which is pretty low. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Let me know your thoughts. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
22 upvotes
30 Replies
Noah King
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 12 years. Moved from Boston for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2017 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. government 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 better than expected - 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. Meadowbrook schools are underrated. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Road conditions need improvement. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Joshua Gonzalez
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much pricey but now it's better than expected.
40 upvotes
Isabelle C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Houston about 1 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good internet infrastructure
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are affordable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Definitely worth checking out..
39 upvotes
Audrey King
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from LA about 4 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good airport with direct flights
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are affordable, gas is tough.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
38 upvotes
Gabriella Gomez
exactly what I was thinking
38 upvotes
Peter N.
This.
35 upvotes
Jackson R.
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
34 upvotes
Julian A.
haha yep pretty much
33 upvotes
phillyheart2022
I've lived in South for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- The cultural scene scene is improving
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
32 upvotes
Owen Ramirez
hmm interesting perspective
31 upvotes
Emilia R.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Definitely worth checking out..
30 upvotes
Josiah P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 47, moved here 7 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Westside and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Four distinct seasons
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Can feel isolated
3. The pet-friendliness situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Phoenix, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K 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.
28 upvotes
Elizabeth
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 43, moved here 2 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Greenfield and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Limited shopping options
3. The job market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for singles. 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 Atlanta, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
26 upvotes
Reagan
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 37, moved here 12 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Uptown and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Limited shopping options
3. The community vibe situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for couples. tough vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Chicago, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$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.
26 upvotes
Ryan Long
big facts right here
25 upvotes
Emilia Gutierrez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 9 years. Moved from Denver for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are surprisingly good. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Dating scene is rough. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Nathan C.
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The public transit is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
23 upvotes
Theodore Smith
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Springfield) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living 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.
23 upvotes
Quinn
I work in hospitality here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is tough. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
20 upvotes
detroit_victoria
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 15 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
17 upvotes
Dominic Lopez
literally same
16 upvotes
Savannah H.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Boston it's surprisingly good.
14 upvotes
Brielle Ruiz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 13 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
13 upvotes
Eli White
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Decent public transit for the size
- The housing market scene is tough
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Definitely worth checking out..
11 upvotes
Ryan Richardson
Saving this thread
11 upvotes
Willow Murphy
it depends on the neighborhood
11 upvotes
Kaylee Evans
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Lakewood. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in government. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Definitely worth checking out..
8 upvotes
Eliana Watson
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
3 upvotes
Grace Hill
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much reasonable but now it's hit or miss.
2 upvotes
Zoe Kelly
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 5 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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