Been meaning to ask this. I've been here for 8 years and It's a a small town city with about 2,383 people. The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The suburbs are where most families end up.
1 upvotes
13 Replies
Jaxon Turner
Moved here from Nashville about 9 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to weather but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
38 upvotes
philly_declan
Moved here from Charlotte about 11 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to dating scene but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
38 upvotes
Delilah Brooks
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
34 upvotes
Ruth R.
Came here for retirement and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The walkability is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
27 upvotes
Cora C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 36, moved here 9 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Pine Hills and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited public transit options
3. The nightlife situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Dallas, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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
Abigail
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Austin about 3 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are manageable, gas is challenging.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
25 upvotes
Eleanor Perez
yep
21 upvotes
Aaliyah Nguyen
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 12 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
20 upvotes
Isabella Green
Bought a house here in 2015 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
17 upvotes
Autumn Thomas
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Hope this helps!.
13 upvotes
Lucy C.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
4 upvotes
Gianna Cruz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 41, moved here 11 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Sunset and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Can feel isolated
3. The safety situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for remote workers. pretty good 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 San Diego, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$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.
1 upvotes
true_aiden80
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 2 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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