Hey everyone, Crime rate is something to consider -Centreville sits at 132.4 per 100K. It's a a smaller city city with about 71,885 people. The unemployment rate is 2.9%, which is pretty low. The median home value here is around $565,900, which is pretty steep. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Has anyone dealt with this? Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
26 upvotes
24 Replies
lake_bennett5
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
39 upvotes
Easton Cruz
Used to live on the South side, now on the North side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
37 upvotes
Anna Gomez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Chicago about 1 years ago. The main reasons were work and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Rising rent and home prices
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are established, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
36 upvotes
Ethan Baker
I've lived in Lakewood for about 14 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 Minneapolis, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
- The weather scene is tough
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Hope this helps!.
35 upvotes
houston_aaliyah
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Seattle 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 Maple Ridge. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
35 upvotes
Nova Garcia
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 29, moved here 8 years ago from New York. I've lived in Greenfield and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The nightlife situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for singles. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 New York, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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
Waylon A.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 5 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
32 upvotes
Violet Robinson
facts
30 upvotes
Landon Chavez
Totally agree!
30 upvotes
Isabella Evans
Used to live on the Midtown side, now on the Downtown side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
29 upvotes
Leah Williams
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Feel free to reach out with questions..
28 upvotes
Aaliyah M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Eastside. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in tech. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
28 upvotes
Kaylee M.
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The cost of living is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
25 upvotes
Quinn Rivera
Moved here from Austin about 9 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to food scene but Definitely worth checking out..
25 upvotes
Nova James
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
19 upvotes
Delilah H.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
18 upvotes
Henry Watson
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
15 upvotes
Katherine Brooks
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
15 upvotes
Wyatt
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely excellent and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Springfield) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
14 upvotes
Hudson Foster
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much manageable but now it's average.
11 upvotes
John Gonzalez
Can confirm, been here 14 years.
10 upvotes
Ellie Young
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 37, moved here 15 years ago from New York. I've lived in Sunset and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Summers can be brutally hot
3. The weather situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for retirees. improving 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 New York, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
8 upvotes
Sarah H.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is solid in most areas.
6 upvotes
denver_logan
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Midtown) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
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