Alright, We have two kids and With a population of 59,605, Youngstown is a smaller city. Rent is about $718/month for a decent place. The city has invested a lot in new development. Any advice would be great. Looking forward to hearing from you all. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
21 upvotes
16 Replies
Amelia
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
40 upvotes
Madeline S.
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Pine Hills area are improving. Kids love it here.
39 upvotes
Grayson Baker
Moved here from Raleigh about 1 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Good luck with whatever you decide..
37 upvotes
Delilah Williams
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
36 upvotes
Bennett G.
haha yep pretty much
30 upvotes
houstonkid2026
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Houston about 11 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Four distinct seasons
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are established, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Definitely worth checking out..
18 upvotes
Easton Ramirez
exactly what I was thinking
17 upvotes
Emily Johnson
I've lived in Greenfield for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Strong job market in several industries
- The housing market scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
16 upvotes
Easton S.
hard disagree but ok
15 upvotes
Aria Taylor
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely tough and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (The Heights) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Homeless population growing 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.
10 upvotes
Brian A.
lol so true
7 upvotes
Ezekiel M.
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Thai places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
7 upvotes
Camila N.
+1
6 upvotes
Oliver M.
following this thread
5 upvotes
Lillian Wilson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 57, moved here 9 years ago from LA. I've lived in Sunset and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The food scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for retirees. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
5 upvotes
Peyton Roberts
I've lived in South for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong job market in several industries
- The cultural scene scene is decent
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..