Hey, Household incomes average around $54,281 in Shawnee. Crime rate is something to consider -Shawnee sits at 493.3 per 100K. You can expect to pay around $912 for rent here. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Thanks! Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to.
6 upvotes
22 Replies
Clara Gutierrez
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor recreation is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
40 upvotes
Isaac Evans
yep
39 upvotes
Santiago P.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Definitely worth checking out..
37 upvotes
Levi Turner
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
37 upvotes
Olivia
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Charlotte about 13 years ago. The main reasons were weather and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Decent public transit for the size
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are wild, gas is challenging.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Happy to answer more specific questions..
36 upvotes
nolaheart2022
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 32, moved here 7 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Eastside and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Good internet infrastructure
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 food scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for couples. solid vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Atlanta, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K 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.
33 upvotes
Easton S.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 7 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
30 upvotes
Aiden Diaz
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
29 upvotes
Xavier Lopez
wish I knew this sooner
28 upvotes
Nathan
Moved here from Boston about 4 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to food scene but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
28 upvotes
Arianna Anderson
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Italian places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
23 upvotes
Eleanor Richardson
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Midtown area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
23 upvotes
Nova Cox
Saving this thread
21 upvotes
Kinsley Roberts
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in The Heights. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in tech. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
19 upvotes
Sophie Thomas
following this thread
17 upvotes
Dylan Evans
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cultural scene. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
17 upvotes
Samuel Miller
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 3 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
13 upvotes
Ariana Edwards
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 5 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
10 upvotes
sacramento_brielle
underrated comment
10 upvotes
Josiah R.
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
9 upvotes
miami_john
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 14 years. Moved from Chicago for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. construction 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:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset 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. Nightlife is limited. Limited high-paying job options. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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