First post here. Crime rate is something to consider -West Sand Lake sits at 700.7 per 100K. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The city has invested a lot in new development. Appreciate any input. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
13 upvotes
12 Replies
Carter
nah I disagree
36 upvotes
Leonardo Nguyen
facts
34 upvotes
Ariana
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
30 upvotes
Joseph F.
Used to live on the Midtown side, now on the Pine Hills side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
26 upvotes
Landon Turner
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great sushi places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
26 upvotes
austin_evelyn
wish I knew this sooner
26 upvotes
Addison Jones
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 34, moved here 6 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Eastside and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The safety situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for singles. solid vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K 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.
25 upvotes
Julian M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 9 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
17 upvotes
Rachel K.
Can confirm, been here 4 years.
10 upvotes
Cameron Allen
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Atlanta it's solid.
2 upvotes
Samuel Davis
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
1 upvotes
portlandvibes2023
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely underrated and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
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