Not sure if this has been asked before, but I'm a teacher here and Rent is about $1,371/month for a decent place. It's a a mid-size city city with about 408K people. The median home value here is around $347,300, which seems about average. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Worth the trade-offs? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The weather takes some getting used to. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
25 upvotes
15 Replies
Hailey Williams
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 7 years. Moved from Chicago for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is average - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are challenging. 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. Nightlife is limited. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
39 upvotes
Laura R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 6 years ago. The main reasons were work and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons that are real:
- Limited entertainment options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are competitive, gas is tough.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Definitely worth checking out..
35 upvotes
Jose O.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in North. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in legal. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Definitely worth checking out..
34 upvotes
Wesley L.
preach
34 upvotes
Greyson M.
underrated comment
33 upvotes
Jace Stewart
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Maple Ridge area are challenging. Kids love it here.
31 upvotes
Joseph G.
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
- The community vibe scene is tough
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Definitely worth checking out..
29 upvotes
raised_sophie44
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Lakewood area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
28 upvotes
Gabriel Cox
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 1 years. Moved from Charlotte for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. healthcare 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:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have mountains 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 hit or miss. 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. Property taxes are high. Can feel isolated. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
13 upvotes
Isabella
great question, following
13 upvotes
Naomi W.
lol so true
11 upvotes
Matthew M.
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
6 upvotes
Savannah Morris
hmm interesting perspective
5 upvotes
Serenity Carter
Bought a house here in 2024 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
All Countries
