First post here. With a population of 21,869, Sedalia is a small town. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Am I overthinking this? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
5 upvotes
9 Replies
Aaron Brown
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 29, moved here 12 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Fairview and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good 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 Phoenix, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
39 upvotes
Theodore T.
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Thai places. I love the pace of life here.
36 upvotes
phoenix_elena
I've lived in Oak Park for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Four distinct seasons
- The housing market scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. Good luck with whatever you decide..
30 upvotes
Camila G.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
27 upvotes
Addison Walker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Portland about 9 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Close to major attractions
- Good airport with direct flights
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are stable, gas is average.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
25 upvotes
Claire G.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (South) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
22 upvotes
Colton Gonzalez
I'm a social worker and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is average and there's always something going on.
21 upvotes
Joshua P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 24, moved here 1 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Meadowbrook and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The job market situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for families. 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 Miami, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
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