So, Average temperature is around 48--F, so expect cold winters. You can expect to pay around $1,235 for rent here. Median household income is $83,069, which feels pretty solid for the area. Crime rate is something to consider -Beach Park sits at 699.1 per 100K. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Thoughts? Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The suburbs are where most families end up. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
12 upvotes
14 Replies
Aria Carter
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
39 upvotes
Nicholas Torres
Bought a house here in 2019 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
27 upvotes
Nolan Gonzalez
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.
21 upvotes
Aiden P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 30, moved here 12 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Midtown and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The traffic situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for remote workers. decent vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Boston, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
21 upvotes
Caroline Mendoza
great question, following
20 upvotes
Savannah Garcia
preach
17 upvotes
Dominic C.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
15 upvotes
Skylar Rodriguez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 52, moved here 1 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in The Heights and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The dating scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 San Francisco, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K 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.
14 upvotes
Marilyn C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Old Town. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Italian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
10 upvotes
Grace Thompson
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The job market is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
8 upvotes
Ian Wright
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
8 upvotes
Cooper R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Atlanta about 12 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Decent public transit for the size
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are growing, gas is improving.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. No regrets on my end..
5 upvotes
Ian
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 12 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
5 upvotes
Linda D.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely challenging and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Midtown) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
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