Random thought, Been living here since 2006. With a population of 15,100, Vandalia is a small town. Rent is about $863/month for a decent place. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Am I wrong here? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
12 upvotes
15 Replies
katherine_runner
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
39 upvotes
Sophia
Bought a house here in 2016 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
39 upvotes
Jeremiah Watson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 9 years. Moved from Nashville for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is solid - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are improving. 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. Limited high-paying job options. Limited shopping options. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Roger S.
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
28 upvotes
Bennett Reyes
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Dallas about 5 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are wild, gas is better than expected.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Good luck with whatever you decide..
27 upvotes
Cynthia W.
Used to live on the Fairview side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
21 upvotes
Stella Reed
noted, appreciate it
21 upvotes
Aurora Brown
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 4 years. Moved from Boston for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are decent. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Dating scene is rough. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
13 upvotes
Sofia
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 44, moved here 9 years ago from New York. I've lived in Fairview and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited shopping options
3. The healthcare situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for families. solid vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
9 upvotes
Chloe Watson
literally same
7 upvotes
Nova Reyes
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely hit or miss and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Downtown) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. job market 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.
6 upvotes
Mason Gonzalez
spot on
5 upvotes
Violet Nelson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 7 years. Moved from Charlotte for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is decent - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Lakewood schools are hit or miss. 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. Winters are long and cold. Limited entertainment options. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes
Elijah M.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Hope this helps!.
3 upvotes
Eva
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from San Francisco about 4 years ago. The main reasons were weather and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Active local events and festivals
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are competitive, gas is excellent.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Good luck with whatever you decide..
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