So, I'm originally from Salt Lake City and The unemployment rate is 3.7%, which is pretty low. Homes are going for about $187,300 on average. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Am I wrong here? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
24 upvotes
17 Replies
Xavier Nguyen
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 12 years. Moved from Houston for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2020 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. government 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's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. Lakewood schools are average. 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. Winters are long and cold. Bugs and humidity in summer. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Landon Wright
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in The Heights area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
35 upvotes
Mary K.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely average and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Riverside) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living 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.
33 upvotes
omaha_lucy
Came here for weather and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The healthcare is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
32 upvotes
Caleb S.
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is walkability. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
31 upvotes
Walter R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Oak Park for 10 years. Moved from San Francisco for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
real estate is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Oak Park schools are solid. 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. Urban sprawl is real. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Wesley Anderson
+1
27 upvotes
Avery Cook
interesting, hadn't considered that
25 upvotes
Weston Gray
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Maple Ridge area are tough. Kids love it here.
23 upvotes
Audrey Carter
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 25, moved here 14 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Riverside and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The safety situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for families. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Boston, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
21 upvotes
omaha_aurora
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Raleigh it's surprisingly good.
20 upvotes
Jack W.
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
17 upvotes
jacob_girl
facts
16 upvotes
Jack G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Sunset. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Definitely worth checking out..
10 upvotes
Leah Ortiz
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Oak Park. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in government. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
10 upvotes
Noah Smith
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 26, moved here 6 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in North and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The traffic situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Tampa, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$100K 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.
7 upvotes
Victoria P.
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
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