Just moved here 8 months ago and Crime rate is something to consider -Stow sits at 43.0 per 100K. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Anyone in a similar situation? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
14 upvotes
15 Replies
Alice P.
Moved here from Atlanta about 10 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to nightlife but Hope this helps!.
34 upvotes
Elena
100%
27 upvotes
Alexander Ramirez
I'm a project manager and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
24 upvotes
James W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 32, moved here 1 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Oak Park and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally average - 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 food scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for families. average vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
20 upvotes
Hunter
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
19 upvotes
Aria Robinson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from San Francisco about 8 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Close to major attractions
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are growing, gas is excellent.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Good luck with whatever you decide..
19 upvotes
Adam Davis
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
13 upvotes
Cameron W.
Moved here from Minneapolis about 9 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to public transit but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
12 upvotes
Clara Nelson
+1
12 upvotes
detroitmind2020
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 San Diego. I've lived in Uptown and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The cost of living situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for singles. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 San Diego, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K 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.
12 upvotes
Brielle H.
spot on
7 upvotes
Maverick Morales
Moved here last year, no regrets.
4 upvotes
Eugene P.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 13 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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