Longtime lurker here, We're a young couple and Median household income is $64,103, which feels about average for the area. With a population of 3,240, Weimar is a small town. It's a a small town city with about 3,240 people. Rent is about $516/month for a decent place. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services. TIA! Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
7 upvotes
15 Replies
Connor Cruz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 35, moved here 12 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Springfield and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The healthcare situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for young professionals. better than expected 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 Tampa, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K 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.
38 upvotes
Oliver B.
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Lakewood area are tough. Kids love it here.
36 upvotes
Megan B.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Springfield. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
36 upvotes
Camila
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
33 upvotes
Luke Reed
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 14 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
32 upvotes
Roman Ruiz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 32, moved here 6 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The cultural scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for couples. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Charlotte, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
29 upvotes
Mackenzie
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in North area are tough. Kids love it here.
28 upvotes
Genesis
Moved here from San Diego about 2 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to housing market but Definitely worth checking out..
24 upvotes
Ian Foster
I work in tech here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is average. Hope this helps!.
18 upvotes
Kennedy Lewis
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 5 years. Moved from Minneapolis for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are excellent. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Road conditions need improvement. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Eli Hill
yeah no that's not right
14 upvotes
Elizabeth Morgan
Can confirm, been here 1 years.
8 upvotes
Elijah P.
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The cost of living scene is decent
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. Good luck with whatever you decide..
7 upvotes
Ezekiel Nelson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely challenging and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Riverside) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
2 upvotes
proud_evan83
Used to live on the Lakewood side, now on the Meadowbrook side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
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