Hello, I relocated for work and It's a a small town city with about 20,457 people. Rent is about $842/month for a decent place. The median home value here is around $159,300, which is actually reasonable. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Should I be concerned? The suburbs are where most families end up. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
8 upvotes
15 Replies
nashvillewalker2020
bump
40 upvotes
Kayden Thomas
Moved here from Nashville about 6 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to community vibe but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
39 upvotes
Connor Brooks
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 6 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
36 upvotes
Harper B.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 55, moved here 4 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Old Town and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Affordable housing options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The healthcare situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for remote workers. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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
Jayden Brooks
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
28 upvotes
Owen Edwards
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 12 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
24 upvotes
Jean A.
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is community vibe. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
23 upvotes
Alice R.
not my experience at all
19 upvotes
Lillian Allen
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
17 upvotes
Ryan M.
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
17 upvotes
Adam Evans
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Baltimore about 9 years ago. The main reasons were family and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Active local events and festivals
- Four distinct seasons
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are developing, gas is excellent.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Good luck with whatever you decide..
16 upvotes
Ellie Phillips
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Oak Park. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in marketing. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
16 upvotes
true_clara64
Used to live on the Fairview side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
12 upvotes
Ella P.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
6 upvotes
David Reyes
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in West. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like seafood.
All Countries
