Been meaning to ask this. It's a a small town city with about 18,144 people. Crime rate is something to consider -Steubenville sits at 185.7 per 100K. Poverty rate is 19.2%, which is higher than I expected. The median home value here is around $128,000, which is actually reasonable. The unemployment rate is 2.9%, which is pretty low. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
Pros:
- Friendly people
- Lots of new development
- Active local events
Cons:
- Hot summers
- Not very walkable
- Lack of diversity
- Few job opportunities in some fields
- Not enough green space
Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
3 upvotes
8 Replies
Jackson Young
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Portland it's excellent.
40 upvotes
Emilia Reed
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Denver 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 Westside. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in construction. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Korean.
No regrets on my end..
35 upvotes
Jace Thomas
I work in finance here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is better than expected. No regrets on my end..
33 upvotes
Joseph F.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Sunset. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in retail. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
22 upvotes
Angel Sanders
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 57, moved here 12 years ago from LA. I've lived in Midtown and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Affordable housing options
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The safety situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for couples. excellent 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 LA, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$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.
13 upvotes
Jordan Parker
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in East area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
12 upvotes
Claire Diaz
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Midtown area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
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