Hello, My partner and I are Poverty rate is 9.8%, which is pretty low. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. What would you do? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
17 upvotes
26 Replies
James G.
Moved here from Atlanta about 14 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to cultural scene but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
40 upvotes
boston_cooper
couldn't agree more
38 upvotes
Josiah Phillips
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Phoenix about 10 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Close to major attractions
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are affordable, gas is decent.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
38 upvotes
Hudson Martinez
I've lived in North for about 8 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 Seattle, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Four distinct seasons
- The weather scene is decent
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. No regrets on my end..
37 upvotes
Henry Rivera
hard disagree but ok
34 upvotes
Jean C.
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is cost of living. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
33 upvotes
Henry Jimenez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 12 years. Moved from Boston for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset schools are pretty good. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Limited entertainment options. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Amelia Mitchell
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
32 upvotes
Ellie Cook
I've lived in Lakewood for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of new development happening
- The walkability scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
31 upvotes
Amelia M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 40, moved here 9 years ago from Houston. I've lived in West and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Bugs and humidity in summer
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The pet-friendliness situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Houston, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
30 upvotes
Michael Peterson
Bought a house here in 2016 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
28 upvotes
Hunter M.
Bought a house here in 2019 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
27 upvotes
Jose Wright
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in South area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
27 upvotes
Jose
big facts right here
23 upvotes
tucson_eleanor
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Springfield area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
20 upvotes
Oliver Rivera
bump
20 upvotes
desert_ezekiel30
same here
15 upvotes
Sebastian Gomez
lol so true
15 upvotes
Natalie T.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Raleigh it's challenging.
15 upvotes
Jameson L.
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much stable but now it's solid.
13 upvotes
Joan N.
literally same
12 upvotes
Weston Brooks
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Vietnamese places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
8 upvotes
nyc_jaxon
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
8 upvotes
Nora G.
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. Definitely worth checking out..
6 upvotes
Weston Castillo
The food scene here is average. Tons of great Korean places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
1 upvotes
Hailey
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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