Longtime lurker here, I'm a remote worker and Poverty rate is 10.6%, which is around average. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Any help is appreciated.
7 upvotes
8 Replies
Brielle Hill
hard disagree but ok
38 upvotes
Sandra J.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 7 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
34 upvotes
Bella Diaz
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much competitive but now it's decent.
15 upvotes
Adrian Lewis
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 8 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
15 upvotes
Everly D.
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 13 years here, that's my honest assessment.
13 upvotes
Ava Bailey
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 55, moved here 7 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in South and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The pet-friendliness situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for singles. decent vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 San Francisco, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
9 upvotes
Carter Bennett
yep
4 upvotes
katherine_native
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 15 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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