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Santiago Rivera best-worst

Best and worst neighborhoods in Smyrna

Longtime lurker here, Median household income is $96,780, which feels pretty solid for the area. Rent is about $1,682/month for a decent place. Poverty rate is 6.7%, which is pretty low. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.

Pros:
- Nice parks and trails
- Low crime in most areas
- Good schools
- Low taxes
- Walkable downtown

Cons:
- Cold winters
- Rising rent prices
- Limited nightlife
What do you all think? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
1 upvotes

7 Replies

Evan Hughes
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Midtown for 13 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2018 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.

**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have beaches 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 excellent. 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. Limited public transit options. Rising rent and home prices. And healthcare can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
39 upvotes
lake_kai91
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a chef, 30, moved here 2 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Property taxes are high
3. The pet-friendliness situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for young professionals. solid vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Nashville, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K 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.
27 upvotes
Lucy Reed
facts
25 upvotes
sd_christian
as a local I can confirm
15 upvotes
nola_alexander
Used to live on the Riverside side, now on the Uptown side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
15 upvotes
Abigail Phillips
good to know, thanks
13 upvotes
Robert S.
not my experience at all
10 upvotes
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