First post here. Born and raised here. Poverty rate is 4.1%, which is pretty low. Crime rate is something to consider -Severn sits at 593.4 per 100K. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Any advice would be great. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
28 upvotes
22 Replies
Brielle
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.
39 upvotes
Pamela R.
100%
37 upvotes
Jayden G.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely solid and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Eastside) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
36 upvotes
Isabelle Walker
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
36 upvotes
Isabelle Phillips
literally same
35 upvotes
Matthew Sanchez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
34 upvotes
Jackson Reyes
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Cedar Grove. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in finance. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
31 upvotes
John Cook
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much affordable but now it's improving.
24 upvotes
Rylee
I'm a lawyer and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
24 upvotes
Avery Jones
Moved here from Minneapolis about 11 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to walkability but Happy to answer more specific questions..
22 upvotes
Ezekiel Rivera
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 57, moved here 8 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Greenfield and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The public transit situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for singles. pretty good 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 Seattle, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
20 upvotes
mesa_everly
facts
17 upvotes
Zoe Mendoza
This.
14 upvotes
Emily C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely tough and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Old Town) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Limited shopping 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.
13 upvotes
Allison P.
noted, appreciate it
10 upvotes
Jacob F.
literally same
9 upvotes
Joshua W.
literally same
8 upvotes
Kayden H.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
6 upvotes
Sophie Ortiz
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great seafood places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
4 upvotes
Miles Castillo
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely average and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Westside) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
3 upvotes
Donald A.
wish I knew this sooner
2 upvotes
Cameron Jones
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 10 years. Moved from Baltimore for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is decent - 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 better than expected. 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. Winters are long and cold. Limited shopping options. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
All Countries
