Considering Spring Valley Lake vs Cleveland -help me decide
Been meaning to ask this. I'm retired and The unemployment rate is 3.7%, which is pretty low. Median household income is $93,040, which feels pretty solid for the area. The city has invested a lot in new development. What would you do? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
10 upvotes
13 Replies
Madelyn
great question, following
40 upvotes
Kinsley
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
35 upvotes
Alexa M.
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
33 upvotes
Riley Hill
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 13 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
31 upvotes
Dominic Lopez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
29 upvotes
Robert Ortiz
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Sunset area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
28 upvotes
Emily M.
Came here for school and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The safety is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
26 upvotes
Silas T.
I've lived in Downtown for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Decent public transit for the size
- The dating scene scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. No regrets on my end..
26 upvotes
Sofia
accurate
24 upvotes
Lydia Young
thanks for sharing
23 upvotes
Ann R.
I'm a HR manager and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is average and there's always something going on.
19 upvotes
John C.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to New York it's underrated.
2 upvotes
Carolyn C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 27, moved here 1 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Old Town and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The public transit situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for young professionals. decent vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Miami, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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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