Hi all, I relocated for work and You can expect to pay around $1,373 for rent here. It's a a smaller city city with about 75,478 people. Average temperature is around 62--F, so the weather is moderate. Household incomes average around $65,926 in Apple Valley. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Does this match your experience? Thanks! Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
8 upvotes
22 Replies
Jacob Bailey
exactly what I was thinking
39 upvotes
Natalie Patel
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..
38 upvotes
Abigail M.
hmm interesting perspective
37 upvotes
cool_katherine65
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
37 upvotes
Anna C.
+1
37 upvotes
James Campbell
seconding this
36 upvotes
Katherine M.
nah I disagree
30 upvotes
Isaiah
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 15 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
30 upvotes
Jonathan Cooper
Moved here from Pittsburgh about 6 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to dating scene but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
25 upvotes
nyc_adrian
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Old Town) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
23 upvotes
Joshua Jimenez
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great sushi places. it's been a really good experience overall.
23 upvotes
Cora Wright
following this thread
20 upvotes
Weston M.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is excellent in most areas.
20 upvotes
Logan L.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in East. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in real estate. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Asian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
20 upvotes
Delilah Bailey
it depends on the neighborhood
17 upvotes
Samuel Anderson
I work in marketing here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is average. Hope this helps!.
14 upvotes
Harold C.
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in East area are excellent. Kids love it here.
13 upvotes
orlandonative2020
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 11 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. finance 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 wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is tough - 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. West schools are excellent. 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 housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Margaret R.
I've lived in Lakewood for about 1 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 Chicago, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The safety scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
12 upvotes
Colton Evans
Used to live on the Uptown side, now on the Highland side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
11 upvotes
Cooper Davis
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 37, moved here 2 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Oak Park and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Good internet infrastructure
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. Winters are long and cold
2. Can feel isolated
3. The dating scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for remote workers. improving 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 Dallas, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$130K 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.
7 upvotes
Dominic T.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Atlanta about 9 years ago. The main reasons were work and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- Decent public transit for the size
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is improving.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Feel free to reach out with questions..
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