Hey, Military spouse here. Average temperature is around 51--F, so expect cold winters. Rent is about $2,804/month for a decent place. The weather takes some getting used to. What neighborhoods would you suggest? Property taxes are high but you get good services.
29 upvotes
26 Replies
Silas
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from LA about 13 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good internet infrastructure
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are reasonable, gas is improving.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Hope this helps!.
38 upvotes
Waylon A.
I've lived in Downtown for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good internet infrastructure
- The traffic scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Hope this helps!.
37 upvotes
Everly Stewart
lol so true
35 upvotes
Peyton Gutierrez
Moved here from Portland about 15 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to food scene but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
35 upvotes
Josiah Young
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much reasonable but now it's hit or miss.
35 upvotes
sebastian_girl
I work in consulting here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is improving. Definitely worth checking out..
32 upvotes
Angel Phillips
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Minneapolis about 7 years ago. The main reasons were family and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are wild, gas is average.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
29 upvotes
Aurora
+1
28 upvotes
Brielle Long
accurate
24 upvotes
Lucy Jimenez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 2 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's growing 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 underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
20 upvotes
Ella G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Lakewood. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in finance. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Hope this helps!.
20 upvotes
Autumn Bennett
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely average and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
19 upvotes
rylee_vibes
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 15 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
19 upvotes
jaxon_rider
This.
18 upvotes
Rebecca F.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Lakewood. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Definitely worth checking out..
16 upvotes
Henry B.
I work in construction here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Definitely worth checking out..
16 upvotes
Emilia E.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Springfield. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
16 upvotes
audrey_heart
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from New York about 11 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are affordable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
12 upvotes
Naomi L.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from LA about 13 years ago. The main reasons were school and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Dating scene is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are pricey, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Good luck with whatever you decide..
11 upvotes
Elena Bennett
Came here for work and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The dating scene is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
8 upvotes
Weston M.
Bought a house here in 2017 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
8 upvotes
Aiden G.
Totally agree!
5 upvotes
Jack Miller
bump
4 upvotes
Jameson Scott
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Eastside. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in legal. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Hope this helps!.
0 upvotes
Austin K.
thanks for sharing
0 upvotes
Olivia G.
Came here for weather and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The nightlife is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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