OK so Should I be concerned? The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
26 upvotes
30 Replies
Austin Parker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in South. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
40 upvotes
Jerry A.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 40, moved here 7 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Lakewood and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The job market situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for couples. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Austin, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
36 upvotes
Gianna Robinson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
36 upvotes
nashvillemama2020
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 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 2-bed in Uptown. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Southern.
No regrets on my end..
35 upvotes
Naomi Robinson
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The community vibe is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
33 upvotes
Jackson Howard
haha yep pretty much
31 upvotes
Caroline Johnson
Moved here from Atlanta about 6 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to weather but Happy to answer more specific questions..
27 upvotes
Bennett M.
This.
25 upvotes
Colton Gomez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
23 upvotes
Connor James
glad someone said it
21 upvotes
Mateo P.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want walkability, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
20 upvotes
peyton_local
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 14 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
19 upvotes
Nevaeh Clark
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 15 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
18 upvotes
Jeremiah Ramirez
been saying this for years
14 upvotes
Carter N.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 36, moved here 15 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Lakewood and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The safety situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for young professionals. better than expected 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 Minneapolis, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
12 upvotes
Quinn M.
Bought a house here in 2022 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
11 upvotes
Kaylee Reed
glad someone said it
8 upvotes
Addison Kelly
I work in legal here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is average. Happy to answer more specific questions..
7 upvotes
Owen Edwards
100%
6 upvotes
Evan T.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is improving in most areas.
6 upvotes
Victoria Brooks
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if healthcare matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
5 upvotes
Jayden Wood
nah I disagree
5 upvotes
Elena Jackson
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Good luck with whatever you decide..
5 upvotes
Harper
hmm interesting perspective
4 upvotes
Arianna Anderson
it depends on the neighborhood
4 upvotes
Paisley Miller
I work in manufacturing here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is decent. Happy to answer more specific questions..
3 upvotes
Jose M.
haha yep pretty much
2 upvotes
James Stewart
lol so true
0 upvotes
Sofia M.
Used to live on the West side, now on the Midtown side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
0 upvotes
Weston Gray
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Mexican places. it exceeded my expectations.
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