Not sure if this has been asked before, but Born and raised here. Let me know your thoughts.
16 upvotes
20 Replies
Dorothy W.
lol so true
39 upvotes
Ellie
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 56, moved here 10 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in North and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The community vibe situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for remote workers. improving vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 competitive. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K 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.
35 upvotes
Sadie Brown
Moved here from Chicago about 15 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to housing market but Hope this helps!.
34 upvotes
Camila G.
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
- The school system scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
33 upvotes
Rylee T.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. No regrets on my end..
31 upvotes
Lucy N.
this is the way
27 upvotes
Stephen H.
this is the way
26 upvotes
William Lopez
glad someone said it
24 upvotes
Judith M.
I've lived in Midtown for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Close to major attractions
- The dating scene scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Good luck with whatever you decide..
23 upvotes
Weston Hernandez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
17 upvotes
Isabelle B.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Boston about 11 years ago. The main reasons were weather and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are competitive, gas is excellent.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
15 upvotes
Kinsley Hughes
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
14 upvotes
Amelia Smith
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. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
12 upvotes
Jackson
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
9 upvotes
emma_guy
+1
9 upvotes
kcmama2020
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
8 upvotes
Luna Jones
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much affordable but now it's challenging.
8 upvotes
Ryan Nelson
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great craft beer places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
7 upvotes
Adeline Jimenez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 12 years. Moved from Atlanta for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
retail is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are tough. 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. Property taxes are high. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Adeline Baker
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Highland) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. school system 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.