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Rylee Ramirez
moving
Relocating to Traverse City, MI -pros and cons?
Hey, My partner and I are Poverty rate is 4.9%, which is pretty low.
6 upvotes
7 Replies
John Harris
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 34, moved here 9 years ago from LA. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cost of living situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for retirees. average vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 34, moved here 9 years ago from LA. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cost of living situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for retirees. average vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
38 upvotes
Amy S.
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
27 upvotes
Gianna Wright
+1
26 upvotes
Lily Anderson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Tampa about 9 years ago. The main reasons were work and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are affordable, gas is average.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Tampa about 9 years ago. The main reasons were work and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are affordable, gas is average.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
24 upvotes
Xavier James
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is public transit. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
24 upvotes
nashville_lucy
I've lived in Oak Park for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
- The cultural scene scene is solid
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Definitely worth checking out..
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
- The cultural scene scene is solid
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Definitely worth checking out..
14 upvotes
denverliving2025
hmm interesting perspective
13 upvotes