So, Military spouse here. Poverty rate is 25.6%, which is higher than I expected. With a population of 71,471, Camden is a smaller city. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Am I wrong here?
21 upvotes
12 Replies
Sebastian S.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 53, moved here 5 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Uptown and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The school system situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for retirees. average 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 excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
33 upvotes
Miles Lee
yeah no that's not right
33 upvotes
Audrey R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in South. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in consulting. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
31 upvotes
Hunter S.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Charlotte about 1 years ago. The main reasons were school and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are competitive, gas is challenging.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
29 upvotes
Evan Young
spot on
23 upvotes
Ellie G.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Austin about 14 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are established, gas is decent.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
21 upvotes
abigail_rider
glad someone said it
19 upvotes
Hunter Miller
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much reasonable but now it's surprisingly good.
17 upvotes
Kaylee J.
Can confirm, been here 9 years.
17 upvotes
Nova Diaz
yep
9 upvotes
Rylee Robinson
Moved here last year, no regrets.
6 upvotes
anna_walker
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The cost of living is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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