Crime rate is something to consider -Weston sits at 45.9 per 100K. Household incomes average around $140,501 in Weston. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Should I be concerned?
5 upvotes
15 Replies
Stella
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 1 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook schools are underrated. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Urban sprawl is real. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Camila Brown
Bought a house here in 2023 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
37 upvotes
Lydia Kelly
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 5 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
36 upvotes
roman_mama
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Sunset. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in real estate. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Indian.
No regrets on my end..
34 upvotes
Dominic Bailey
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
31 upvotes
Isabelle Lopez
I've lived in Riverside for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Close to major attractions
- The dating scene scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited public transit options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
26 upvotes
Kayden Sanders
good to know, thanks
26 upvotes
Jerry G.
Moved here from Chicago about 7 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to community vibe but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
25 upvotes
Josiah
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
21 upvotes
Avery N.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 46, moved here 10 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Riverside and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The school system situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for retirees. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Atlanta, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
19 upvotes
Piper
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely pretty good and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Highland) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
18 upvotes
Camila Harris
nah I disagree
16 upvotes
Eli Young
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
9 upvotes
Alexander
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Phoenix about 12 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are wild, gas is decent.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Good luck with whatever you decide..
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