Alright, I'm single, late 40s, and Median household income is $88,313, which feels pretty solid for the area. Homes are going for about $736,900 on average. The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. What would you do?
14 upvotes
14 Replies
Levi Gray
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: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Cedar Grove. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
40 upvotes
Maya M.
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The walkability is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
37 upvotes
Mason Price
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 53, moved here 13 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Midtown and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Growing food and restaurant scene
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. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The dating scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for young professionals. decent vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Baltimore, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$110K 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.
37 upvotes
Benjamin Mitchell
100%
34 upvotes
Serenity H.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely improving and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Midtown) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
26 upvotes
Anna Harris
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
23 upvotes
Peyton T.
Used to live on the Springfield side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
16 upvotes
Richard C.
this is the way
13 upvotes
rylee_vibes
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much growing but now it's tough.
11 upvotes
Jeremiah
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
9 upvotes
Sophie Thomas
I've lived in South for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The weather scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. Happy to answer more specific questions..
4 upvotes
Julian Green
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Oak Park area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
1 upvotes
Isla L.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 30, moved here 4 years ago from New York. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited public transit options
3. The public transit situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K 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.
1 upvotes
Ezra N.
I've lived in Highland for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The housing market scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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