Hello, I'm single, late 20s, and Average temperature is around 54--F, so expect cold winters. Rent is about $1,936/month for a decent place. Homes are going for about $631,300 on average. It's a a small town city with about 8,576 people. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The city has invested a lot in new development. Let me know your thoughts. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
1 upvotes
14 Replies
Aaliyah Cook
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much growing but now it's pretty good.
36 upvotes
Luna Bennett
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
31 upvotes
Luca
spot on
29 upvotes
Cameron Bennett
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much competitive but now it's underrated.
27 upvotes
Hailey D.
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great craft beer places. it exceeded my expectations.
20 upvotes
James Lopez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely better than expected and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Highland) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
19 upvotes
born_greyson38
Bought a house here in 2020 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone about the same since then.
17 upvotes
Caroline G.
couldn't agree more
10 upvotes
Avery Young
Used to live on the Cedar Grove side, now on the Meadowbrook side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
9 upvotes
Adam Jackson
100%
8 upvotes
Evelyn Mendoza
Used to live on the Sunset side, now on the South side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
6 upvotes
Piper Lee
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
3 upvotes
Charles W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 56, moved here 5 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Midtown and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Affordable housing options
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The outdoor recreation situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Baltimore, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K 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.
2 upvotes
local_aria42
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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