Alright, Rent is about $1,148/month for a decent place. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cheers. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
20 upvotes
29 Replies
Jonathan A.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Baltimore it's pretty good.
39 upvotes
Ruby Cruz
I've lived in Old Town for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Strong job market in several industries
- The public transit scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Limited shopping options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
38 upvotes
Emmett
been saying this for years
37 upvotes
Carter Gomez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely challenging and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (West) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
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.
37 upvotes
nashville_stella
good to know, thanks
36 upvotes
Kinsley Wilson
The food scene here is average. Tons of great craft beer places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
35 upvotes
Josiah
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
34 upvotes
Waylon W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 15 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are wild, gas is improving.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
33 upvotes
Cora Hernandez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 34, moved here 1 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Old Town and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The nightlife situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for families. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Chicago, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
29 upvotes
luke_fan
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is traffic. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
29 upvotes
Savannah F.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Nashville about 1 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Lots of new development happening
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are wild, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Feel free to reach out with questions..
28 upvotes
Maverick H.
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
28 upvotes
Arianna Rivera
exactly what I was thinking
24 upvotes
Matthew Moore
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 5 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
24 upvotes
Olivia Watson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Highland) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Homeless population growing downtown.
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.
24 upvotes
Miles Green
not my experience at all
23 upvotes
Mateo King
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Dallas about 1 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are affordable, gas is tough.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Feel free to reach out with questions..
22 upvotes
Joseph Cox
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Nashville 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 Midtown. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in engineering. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
20 upvotes
Angel A.
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The pet-friendliness is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
19 upvotes
Ruth J.
I work in retail here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is challenging. Good luck with whatever you decide..
18 upvotes
Alexa Kim
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 12 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is job market. 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 photography, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
17 upvotes
Emmett Hall
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely tough and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Eastside) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
17 upvotes
Leo Peterson
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great sushi places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
11 upvotes
Michael Thompson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 14 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are affordable, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Good luck with whatever you decide..
10 upvotes
Harper Hall
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Austin it's pretty good.
7 upvotes
Kai Carter
Can confirm, been here 11 years.
7 upvotes
Bennett C.
I've lived in Lakewood for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Active local events and festivals
- The dating scene scene is improving
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
5 upvotes
Ian Morales
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Charlotte about 14 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good airport with direct flights
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are reasonable, gas is decent.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. No regrets on my end..
1 upvotes
Carson Gutierrez
I work in healthcare here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is tough. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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