Random thought, I'm a teacher here and The unemployment rate is 3.3%, which is pretty low. It's a a small town city with about 22,051 people. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Am I wrong here? Cheers. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The suburbs are where most families end up.
5 upvotes
14 Replies
Julia Watson
been saying this for years
39 upvotes
Jayden Hughes
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is tough in most areas.
33 upvotes
Caleb Rivera
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Lakewood. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
33 upvotes
Joseph Sanchez
wish I knew this sooner
31 upvotes
Adeline M.
facts
23 upvotes
Rylee Morgan
literally same
21 upvotes
Gabriella Young
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 11 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
21 upvotes
sd_emmett
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to San Francisco it's surprisingly good.
16 upvotes
Adam Patel
been saying this for years
15 upvotes
Julia W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 46, moved here 10 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in East and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The cost of living situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for young professionals. excellent vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Charlotte, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K 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.
12 upvotes
Genesis Cruz
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Highland area are decent. Kids love it here.
11 upvotes
tampagirl2020
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
10 upvotes
Josiah Patel
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
10 upvotes
Skylar Williams
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
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