Hey everyone, I'm a college student here and Average temperature is around 55--F, so expect cold winters. Poverty rate is 11.2%, which is around average. It's a a small town city with about 3,261 people. The unemployment rate is 3.8%, which is pretty low. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
14 upvotes
14 Replies
Maya E.
hmm interesting perspective
40 upvotes
Aurora Kelly
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
40 upvotes
Dominic K.
Bought a house here in 2015 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
40 upvotes
Everly F.
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
37 upvotes
Hazel Allen
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Salt Lake City it's solid.
34 upvotes
Angel Evans
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
33 upvotes
Charles H.
been saying this for years
32 upvotes
Genesis Thompson
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Seattle it's underrated.
28 upvotes
Bobby A.
Used to live on the Meadowbrook side, now on the East side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
26 upvotes
Benjamin Phillips
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in West area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
24 upvotes
Josiah R.
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. community vibe used to be much growing but now it's underrated.
18 upvotes
Carson Rodriguez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Boston about 8 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Affordable housing options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are competitive, gas is tough.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
16 upvotes
Valentina Johnson
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much competitive but now it's improving.
7 upvotes
Mateo Gonzalez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely decent and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Westside) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
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