Curious what people think. I'm single, late 40s, and Average temperature is around 47--F, so expect cold winters. Crime rate is something to consider -Boulder sits at 256.2 per 100K. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Anyone in a similar situation?
35 upvotes
29 Replies
Wyatt Young
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Meadowbrook. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in finance. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
38 upvotes
Zoe Sanchez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
36 upvotes
Oliver Phillips
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 8 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
35 upvotes
Genesis
I'm a electrician and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
33 upvotes
Maya Peterson
yeah no that's not right
25 upvotes
Liam
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 45, moved here 2 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Old Town and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The healthcare situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for singles. excellent vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Tampa, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
25 upvotes
Naomi K.
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
24 upvotes
Violet Hall
same here
23 upvotes
Emma Howard
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
23 upvotes
Willow M.
noted, appreciate it
22 upvotes
Luke Flores
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The safety is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
21 upvotes
gianna_life
I've lived in North for about 11 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 Tampa, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good healthcare facilities
- The walkability scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Happy to answer more specific questions..
20 upvotes
Theodore
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The traffic is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
20 upvotes
Henry Richardson
as a local I can confirm
20 upvotes
Alexander Wright
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
19 upvotes
denver_daniel
as a local I can confirm
18 upvotes
Jeremiah Stewart
underrated comment
16 upvotes
Caleb Rivera
bump
14 upvotes
Olivia Edwards
I work in tech here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is solid. Definitely worth checking out..
13 upvotes
James Adams
this is the way
12 upvotes
Greyson Jackson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely tough and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Sunset) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
11 upvotes
Angel Watson
Used to live on the Uptown side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
9 upvotes
Alexa Ward
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 25, moved here 13 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Sunset and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Bugs and humidity in summer
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The pet-friendliness situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for couples. improving vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Diego, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$150K 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.
8 upvotes
oakland_gianna
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Uptown. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in retail. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Hope this helps!.
6 upvotes
Elizabeth Robinson
yep
5 upvotes
Claire Allen
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Italian places. it exceeded my expectations.
4 upvotes
austinchef2021
Moved here from San Francisco about 4 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to public transit but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
4 upvotes
Zoey M.
same here
2 upvotes
Harper Howard
I'm a teacher and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
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