Hey, Been living here since 2017. Rent is about $1,916/month for a decent place. Crime rate is something to consider -South Hill sits at 279.4 per 100K. Homes are going for about $493,800 on average. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Any advice would be great. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
10 upvotes
20 Replies
parker_vibes
Bought a house here in 2023 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
40 upvotes
Kayden P.
exactly what I was thinking
39 upvotes
Greyson Jones
yep
39 upvotes
Lydia J.
Came here for school and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The housing market is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
37 upvotes
Colton L.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely underrated and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Midtown) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
35 upvotes
Aaliyah M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 26, moved here 2 years ago from LA. I've lived in Uptown and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Close to major attractions
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The traffic situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for families. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 LA, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
25 upvotes
Aubrey Stewart
underrated comment
25 upvotes
Owen Edwards
Moved here from Raleigh about 5 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to nightlife but Definitely worth checking out..
24 upvotes
happy_katherine94
lol so true
24 upvotes
Ellie
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Oak Park. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
No regrets on my end..
19 upvotes
Camila Stewart
literally same
19 upvotes
Rachel C.
thanks for sharing
16 upvotes
Lydia J.
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The weather is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
13 upvotes
Leo Cooper
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. No regrets on my end..
12 upvotes
Mackenzie Phillips
this is the way
10 upvotes
Paisley Edwards
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from San Diego about 9 years ago. The main reasons were family and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are wild, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Feel free to reach out with questions..
6 upvotes
Caleb Evans
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
5 upvotes
William D.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely underrated and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
3 upvotes
Robert Evans
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 11 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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