Not sure if this has been asked before, but I'm a college student here and It's a a smaller city city with about 25,198 people. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Let me know your thoughts.
13 upvotes
7 Replies
Vivian Morgan
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 5 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
35 upvotes
Isabelle K.
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great Mediterranean places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
14 upvotes
loving_jeremiah78
Can confirm, been here 3 years.
13 upvotes
Lydia Walker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 53, moved here 2 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Westside and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The safety situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for singles. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Nashville, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K 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.
9 upvotes
Angel S.
glad someone said it
8 upvotes
Jameson M.
Bought a house here in 2020 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
2 upvotes
proud_camila95
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 3 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.