I relocated for work and Poverty rate is 17.7%, which is higher than I expected. You can expect to pay around $1,049 for rent here. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Any advice would be great. Looking forward to hearing from you all. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
20 upvotes
5 Replies
Christina M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 38, moved here 15 years ago from LA. I've lived in Westside and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The walkability situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for remote workers. tough vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 LA, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
35 upvotes
Ellie Wright
not my experience at all
24 upvotes
Lucy Young
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Atlanta about 4 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good internet infrastructure
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are competitive, gas is improving.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. No regrets on my end..
16 upvotes
Piper A.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 7 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into running, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
10 upvotes
Aiden Sanders
Bought a house here in 2017 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
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