First post here. I'm a college student here and It's a a smaller city city with about 76,025 people. Rent is about $1,301/month for a decent place. Crime rate is something to consider -Southfield sits at 272.7 per 100K. Average temperature is around 48--F, so expect cold winters. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development. Am I wrong here? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
20 upvotes
7 Replies
Olivia Lewis
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Austin it's hit or miss.
35 upvotes
Audrey Rodriguez
hard disagree but ok
34 upvotes
Maverick Taylor
noted, appreciate it
29 upvotes
Silas Bennett
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much established but now it's average.
28 upvotes
Jaxon Murphy
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much developing but now it's excellent.
27 upvotes
Charlotte Collins
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 41, moved here 15 years ago from New York. I've lived in Old Town and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The walkability situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for singles. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$90K 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.
21 upvotes
Mackenzie Wood
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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