Thinking about relocating to Clarkston from Albuquerque
We have two kids and Median household income is $46,495, which feels on the lower side for the area. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Appreciate any input. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
0 upvotes
12 Replies
Axel Garcia
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to Austin it's tough.
37 upvotes
Frank W.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (The Heights) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. job market 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.
35 upvotes
Joseph S.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 30, moved here 14 years ago from LA. I've lived in Westside and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The cost of living situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for couples. underrated 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 LA, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
34 upvotes
Julian Kelly
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great seafood places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
31 upvotes
Kinsley Morgan
Bought a house here in 2017 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
30 upvotes
Emma Garcia
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Lakewood. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Definitely worth checking out..
28 upvotes
Noah Morgan
Moved here from Seattle about 4 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to dating scene but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
24 upvotes
Josiah Davis
I've lived in Oak Park for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Active local events and festivals
- Good airport with direct flights
- The school system scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
19 upvotes
Luna Castillo
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 49, moved here 9 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Lakewood and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The nightlife situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for retirees. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
16 upvotes
Ella Lee
I work in manufacturing here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is better than expected. Definitely worth checking out..
13 upvotes
Grayson Cook
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Boston it's excellent.
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