Hey folks, I relocated for work and It's a a small town city with about 11,002 people. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Am I wrong here? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
4 upvotes
15 Replies
Camila T.
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
33 upvotes
Nolan Ruiz
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
26 upvotes
Christian Howard
I work in finance here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is solid. Feel free to reach out with questions..
25 upvotes
Liam Allen
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
23 upvotes
Nicholas T.
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
19 upvotes
Ariana
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 24, moved here 8 years ago from Miami. I've lived in The Heights and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The healthcare situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for retirees. improving vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Miami, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
18 upvotes
Ava Nelson
100%
14 upvotes
Brian C.
honestly same experience here
13 upvotes
loving_kinsley32
good to know, thanks
11 upvotes
Savannah Garcia
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in West. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in consulting. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
6 upvotes
Jose Bailey
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 2 years. Moved from Dallas for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is tough - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are tough. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Homeless population growing downtown. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
Isabelle Peterson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Portland about 9 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good internet infrastructure
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are stable, gas is underrated.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
1 upvotes
Claire H.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 8 years. Moved from Nashville for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. 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. Lakewood schools are better than expected. 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. Limited public transit options. Urban sprawl is real. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
1 upvotes
Parker A.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 32, moved here 10 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Oak Park and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Limited shopping options
3. The community vibe situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for young professionals. improving 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 Minneapolis, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K 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.
0 upvotes
Isla Green
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great farm-to-table places. it was the best decision I ever made.
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