Not sure if this has been asked before, but I'm originally from Tampa and You can expect to pay around $1,366 for rent here. With a population of 55,066, Smyrna is a smaller city. It's a a smaller city city with about 55,066 people. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up.
Pros:
- Good job market
- Low crime in most areas
- Good schools
- Good healthcare facilities
- Walkable downtown
Cons:
- Limited nightlife
- Sprawl everywhere
- Not very walkable
- Poor road conditions
What would you do? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
7 upvotes
12 Replies
Camila Kim
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Four distinct seasons
- The weather scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. No regrets on my end..
37 upvotes
Vivian Brown
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 9 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
26 upvotes
Kai
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 36, moved here 7 years ago from New York. I've lived in Uptown and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The cultural scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 New York, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K 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.
22 upvotes
Skylar Kim
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
20 upvotes
Christian M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 39, moved here 3 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Old Town and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for singles. tough 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 Houston, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
16 upvotes
Miles M.
been saying this for years
16 upvotes
Stella Bailey
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 26, moved here 9 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Uptown and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The food scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for retirees. better than expected 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
14 upvotes
Avery Jones
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 6 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
4 upvotes
la_lucas
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
4 upvotes
Richard T.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 9 years. Moved from Portland for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. 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 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. Lakewood 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Property taxes are high. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
1 upvotes
Grayson Lewis
I work in education here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is underrated. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..