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Luca Cooper moving

Planning a move to Wendell -neighborhoods?

Curious what people think. Worth the trade-offs? Thanks for reading.
10 upvotes

3 Replies

Kenneth R.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Definitely worth checking out..
29 upvotes
Kaylee Myers
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in The Heights for 9 years. Moved from Baltimore for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.

**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. retail 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:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is solid - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights 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. Limited high-paying job options. Dating scene is rough. And dating scene can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Christian Jones
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a chef, 49, moved here 13 years ago from LA. I've lived in Midtown and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for retirees. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K 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.
17 upvotes
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