Hello, The unemployment rate is 7.3%, which is concerning. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Does this match your experience? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development.
0 upvotes
13 Replies
Paisley
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 46, moved here 2 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Lakewood and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Can feel isolated
3. The food scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for singles. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K 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.
40 upvotes
Kayden Cruz
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
36 upvotes
sdchef2023
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
30 upvotes
maverick_chef
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
30 upvotes
Stella D.
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
27 upvotes
Elizabeth
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
25 upvotes
Elizabeth Brown
Used to live on the The Heights side, now on the Meadowbrook side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
24 upvotes
Adrian G.
I work in consulting here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is improving. Hope this helps!.
16 upvotes
Emily Bailey
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely challenging and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Downtown) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
14 upvotes
Roman Cooper
hmm interesting perspective
7 upvotes
Aubrey Martin
seconding this
4 upvotes
brooks_girl
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
1 upvotes
Ezra James
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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