I'm a college student here and Median household income is $58,944, which feels about average for the area. The median home value here is around $140,600, which is actually reasonable. Household incomes average around $58,944 in Solvay. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The weather takes some getting used to. What would you do? Thanks! The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
3 upvotes
9 Replies
Ronald T.
nah I disagree
38 upvotes
lanative2023
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Happy to answer more specific questions..
37 upvotes
Ella
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great Korean places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
37 upvotes
Chloe White
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Minneapolis it's decent.
22 upvotes
Weston
interesting, hadn't considered that
21 upvotes
nolan_mind
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Cedar Grove. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in tech. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
No regrets on my end..
19 upvotes
Hazel R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 15 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
16 upvotes
Madelyn
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 38, moved here 8 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in North and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Close to major attractions
2. Affordable housing options
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The healthcare situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for families. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 San Francisco, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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
Hailey
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 45, moved here 9 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Midtown and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Affordable housing options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited shopping options
3. The walkability situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for young professionals. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Raleigh, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K 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.
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