Hey, Household incomes average around $75,522 in Wade Hampton. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Anyone in a similar situation? The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
2 upvotes
12 Replies
Ethan Bennett
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
40 upvotes
Audrey Foster
interesting, hadn't considered that
38 upvotes
Autumn Perez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Lakewood. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in government. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
34 upvotes
Emmett Flores
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 15 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
31 upvotes
Owen Taylor
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is excellent in most areas.
28 upvotes
Allison C.
as a local I can confirm
28 upvotes
Olivia Reyes
I'm a teacher and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is average and there's always something going on.
27 upvotes
Aria G.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from LA about 2 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good internet infrastructure
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are competitive, gas is decent.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
20 upvotes
seattle_xavier
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 56, moved here 8 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Eastside and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The job market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for singles. solid vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Austin, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
18 upvotes
Savannah C.
hmm interesting perspective
17 upvotes
Ruby C.
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much established but now it's challenging.
7 upvotes
Everett Mitchell
Used to live on the Eastside side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
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