Been living here since 2016. Average temperature is around 52°F, so expect cold winters. Rent is about $1,114/month for a decent place. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. Worth the trade-offs?
37 upvotes
25 Replies
Ella Phillips
I work in manufacturing here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is better than expected. Good luck with whatever you decide..
38 upvotes
Evan L.
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much competitive but now it's solid.
37 upvotes
Jose P.
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
35 upvotes
Hazel Long
Came here for weather and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The cultural scene is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
34 upvotes
Dylan
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in East. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in marketing. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
33 upvotes
Lucy
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
33 upvotes
Brielle R.
Bought a house here in 2023 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone about the same since then.
33 upvotes
Carter Robinson
thanks for sharing
29 upvotes
Audrey W.
I'm a lawyer and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is average and there's always something going on.
29 upvotes
Aubrey Rogers
Came here for weather and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The cultural scene is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
27 upvotes
stlrider2021
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 24, moved here 9 years ago from New York. I've lived in South and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Four distinct seasons
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The cultural scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for singles. tough vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 established. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
27 upvotes
Evelyn Lee
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
21 upvotes
Mason Anderson
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much pricey but now it's solid.
20 upvotes
Lucas T.
Bought a house here in 2020 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone about the same since then.
18 upvotes
Aiden Jimenez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
18 upvotes
Isla Price
good to know, thanks
14 upvotes
Piper Myers
Moved here last year, no regrets.
12 upvotes
Madeline Kim
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
12 upvotes
Hazel Sanchez
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
11 upvotes
Ava Moore
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 10 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into running, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
7 upvotes
Isabella M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 3 years. Moved from Tampa for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is solid - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are pretty good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Nightlife is limited. Can feel isolated. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
Weston R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Nashville about 11 years ago. The main reasons were school and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are reasonable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
1 upvotes
Camila S.
I've lived in Eastside for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Four distinct seasons
- The pet-friendliness scene is better than expected
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
1 upvotes
Landon Gray
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is dating scene. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
0 upvotes
Elena Sanders
I work in finance here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is average. No regrets on my end..
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