Hey folks, Born and raised here. Rent is about $1,478/month for a decent place. Poverty rate is 8.2%, which is pretty low. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Has anyone dealt with this? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
25 upvotes
11 Replies
Audrey Gomez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
25 upvotes
Sophie Morales
+1
22 upvotes
Kayden Jackson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from LA about 1 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Decent public transit for the size
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are competitive, gas is excellent.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
20 upvotes
vegaschef2025
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 37, moved here 6 years ago from LA. I've lived in North and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The safety situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for remote workers. average vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 LA, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K 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.
16 upvotes
Eliana G.
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
16 upvotes
lake_easton79
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The weather is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
13 upvotes
Katherine Gutierrez
bump
12 upvotes
aaliyah_life
hmm interesting perspective
9 upvotes
jax_greyson
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
9 upvotes
Genesis Perez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 3 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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