Been meaning to ask this. I'm retired and Homes are going for about $150,200 on average. Poverty rate is 11.5%, which is around average. Crime rate is something to consider -Waterloo sits at 451.8 per 100K. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
7 upvotes
6 Replies
Dylan Wright
Used to live on the West side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
38 upvotes
Noah Carter
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 49, moved here 6 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Midtown and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The dating scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for families. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Chicago, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
21 upvotes
Ellie Morris
thanks for sharing
11 upvotes
Jayden C.
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
4 upvotes
Abigail Ramos
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Korean places. I love the pace of life here.
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