Household incomes average around $46,663 in West Monroe. Crime rate is something to consider -West Monroe sits at 915.0 per 100K. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. What would you do? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
6 upvotes
11 Replies
Benjamin Brooks
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. No regrets on my end..
38 upvotes
Carter Wilson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from New York about 4 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Diverse dining options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are reasonable, gas is underrated.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
35 upvotes
Waylon Wilson
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is tough in most areas.
31 upvotes
Claire Gomez
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
24 upvotes
Arianna Sanders
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much stable but now it's excellent.
22 upvotes
Brittany M.
this is the way
19 upvotes
Stella Bailey
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 50, moved here 8 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in South and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The public transit situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for families. excellent 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 Seattle, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
15 upvotes
Sophia Mendoza
Bought a house here in 2015 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
13 upvotes
Isaac Rodriguez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely excellent and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
13 upvotes
Zoey P.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Cedar Grove. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
7 upvotes
Matthew C.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
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