I'm a 34-year-old sales rep and It's a a smaller city city with about 25,477 people. With a population of 25,477, Salem is a smaller city. You can expect to pay around $1,046 for rent here. The median home value here is around $244,800, which is actually reasonable. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Anyone in a similar situation? Any help is appreciated. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
5 upvotes
13 Replies
Bella Johnson
Saving this thread
39 upvotes
Audrey M.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to Minneapolis it's solid.
38 upvotes
Cooper G.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
34 upvotes
Bruce W.
Bought a house here in 2023 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone about the same since then.
34 upvotes
Avery C.
noted, appreciate it
26 upvotes
Jameson L.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 36, moved here 15 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in North and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The traffic situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for retirees. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Baltimore, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
22 upvotes
Katherine Wood
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 45, moved here 8 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Uptown and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
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 pet-friendliness situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for singles. solid vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Dallas, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
16 upvotes
Ryan Parker
facts
16 upvotes
Jack Turner
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 43, moved here 7 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Westside and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The pet-friendliness situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for young professionals. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Baltimore, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K 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.
14 upvotes
lake_naomi23
bump
13 upvotes
Gabriel M.
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Greenfield area are improving. Kids love it here.
9 upvotes
Lucy White
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The public transit is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
9 upvotes
Sarah Williams
Used to live on the West side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
All Countries
