Hello, We're a young couple and Poverty rate is 28.4%, which is higher than I expected. Household incomes average around $46,124 in Bridgeton. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. TIA! It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The city has invested a lot in new development. The weather takes some getting used to. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
16 upvotes
14 Replies
Thomas R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 47, moved here 5 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in West and Oak Park, 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. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The nightlife situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for young professionals. decent vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
40 upvotes
Mateo Ramos
I work in hospitality here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is pretty good. No regrets on my end..
36 upvotes
Easton
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great farm-to-table places. I love the pace of life here.
33 upvotes
chill_abigail28
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 2 years. Moved from Chicago for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is solid - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South 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. Limited public transit options. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
noah_lover
literally same
30 upvotes
andrew_living
great question, following
29 upvotes
Nolan Campbell
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Affordable housing options
- The cultural scene scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
26 upvotes
Robert P.
spot on
24 upvotes
Linda D.
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
24 upvotes
milwaukeechef2021
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is cost of living. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
19 upvotes
Jeremiah Ramirez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
19 upvotes
Thomas Evans
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 11 years. Moved from Atlanta for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. healthcare 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is decent - we have national forests 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Limited entertainment options. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Easton Gonzalez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
0 upvotes
Piper K.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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