Longtime lurker here, I'm a college student here and You can expect to pay around $1,789 for rent here. Average temperature is around 62--F, so the weather is moderate. Household incomes average around $117,448 in Brookhaven. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. Worth the trade-offs? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The food scene here is surprisingly good. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The suburbs are where most families end up.
29 upvotes
12 Replies
Brooks Robinson
as a local I can confirm
36 upvotes
Ezekiel Baker
lol so true
33 upvotes
Lydia Rodriguez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 45, moved here 1 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Uptown and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Can feel isolated
3. The cultural scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for young professionals. solid vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Houston, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K 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.
28 upvotes
Addison Y.
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
27 upvotes
Isaiah Johnson
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
24 upvotes
Piper
Moved here from Pittsburgh about 1 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to weather but Good luck with whatever you decide..
24 upvotes
Isabelle Thompson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 9 years. Moved from Nashville for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
government is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have desert landscapes 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 solid. 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 a lot of cultural diversity. Bugs and humidity in summer. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Grayson Baker
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 1 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into running, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
16 upvotes
Samuel Green
interesting, hadn't considered that
11 upvotes
Connor Moore
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 33, moved here 14 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Westside and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Can feel isolated
3. The public transit situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for families. solid vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K 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.
6 upvotes
Jordan Rivera
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Phoenix 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 North. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in tech. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
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