Random thought, My partner and I are Homes are going for about $220,200 on average. Poverty rate is 16.6%, which is higher than I expected. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. What are your go-to spots? I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
3 upvotes
12 Replies
Andrew K.
Bought a house here in 2021 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
30 upvotes
Jackson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 46, moved here 13 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Highland and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The healthcare situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for remote workers. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K 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
Vivian C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely decent and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Highland) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
25 upvotes
Ella Castillo
Bought a house here in 2019 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone about the same since then.
25 upvotes
phoenix_nicholas
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Dallas 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 Sunset. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in tech. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
23 upvotes
Cameron Stewart
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 32, moved here 4 years ago from LA. I've lived in Oak Park and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The weather situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for families. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$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
Joseph Rogers
I'm a chef and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
13 upvotes
Beverly R.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
10 upvotes
Christian Ramos
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. dating scene used to be much growing but now it's solid.
9 upvotes
Sarah R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 8 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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