Random thought, I'm a nurse at the local hospital and The unemployment rate is 2.9%, which is pretty low. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
17 upvotes
27 Replies
Aaron Sanders
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Charlotte 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 North. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in consulting. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
40 upvotes
Ezra Hill
haha yep pretty much
38 upvotes
philly_rylee
This.
37 upvotes
Reagan Morgan
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 2 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into running, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
36 upvotes
Amber H.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Austin about 6 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are growing, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Happy to answer more specific questions..
36 upvotes
oakland_luke
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 9 years. Moved from Houston for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is solid - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are improving. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Far from beaches/mountains. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
David C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in South. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in retail. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like sushi.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
33 upvotes
abigail_kid
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great craft beer places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
33 upvotes
Ellie Castillo
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Pittsburgh it's pretty good.
32 upvotes
Patricia H.
I've lived in Lakewood for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The cost of living scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Good luck with whatever you decide..
30 upvotes
nola_sadie
Moved here from San Francisco about 4 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to job market but No regrets on my end..
28 upvotes
John Ward
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
24 upvotes
colton_local
Used to live on the Lakewood side, now on the Highland side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
20 upvotes
Colton G.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to San Diego it's better than expected.
17 upvotes
Genesis Campbell
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
16 upvotes
Sophie Chavez
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Vietnamese places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
15 upvotes
Aaliyah A.
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much pricey but now it's surprisingly good.
10 upvotes
Elizabeth O.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
8 upvotes
jaxlife2026
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 15 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are challenging. 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. Dating scene is rough. Homeless population growing downtown. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Gabriel G.
haha yep pretty much
7 upvotes
Luke Martinez
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Thai places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
5 upvotes
Serenity Scott
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Old Town) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
5 upvotes
Abigail B.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
5 upvotes
Christopher C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Boston 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 Pine Hills. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in education. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Definitely worth checking out..
3 upvotes
Weston Ward
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 7 years. Moved from Atlanta for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is solid - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are challenging. 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. Nightlife is limited. Homeless population growing downtown. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
1 upvotes
Aaron C.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
1 upvotes
Lucas Rivera
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Indian places. it exceeded my expectations.
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