Curious what people think. Been living here since 2005. Poverty rate is 15.0%, which is around average. With a population of 21,868, Shelby is a small town. Homes are going for about $185,400 on average. You can expect to pay around $899 for rent here. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
13 upvotes
9 Replies
sd_leo
I work in manufacturing here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is excellent. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
33 upvotes
Harper Torres
hard disagree but ok
33 upvotes
Maya Green
I work in retail here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is underrated. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
28 upvotes
Isaiah P.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
28 upvotes
Anthony M.
lol so true
26 upvotes
Jack W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Oak Park. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in education. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Hope this helps!.
10 upvotes
Elizabeth Lopez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely decent and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Old Town) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
9 upvotes
Ellie Cook
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Lots of new development happening
- The cost of living scene is average
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Happy to answer more specific questions..
7 upvotes
Colton James
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the Westside side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.