First post here. My partner and I are Homes are going for about $248,100 on average. With a population of 1,904, Clearwater is a small town. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
5 upvotes
13 Replies
happy_carter45
great question, following
40 upvotes
Sophie Ruiz
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is average in most areas.
40 upvotes
Genesis Ortiz
accurate
38 upvotes
Stella Gomez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 53, moved here 14 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Fairview and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Close to major attractions
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The nightlife situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for singles. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Denver, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
37 upvotes
Connor Murphy
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great BBQ places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
36 upvotes
Genesis Flores
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
28 upvotes
Nevaeh M.
facts
24 upvotes
Eliana Davis
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good airport with direct flights
- The outdoor recreation scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
18 upvotes
Silas J.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 4 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
15 upvotes
Alexa P.
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Sunset area are tough. Kids love it here.
12 upvotes
Jacob R.
lol so true
7 upvotes
Jaxon Long
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 36, moved here 5 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Riverside and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The public transit situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for couples. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Chicago, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K 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.
5 upvotes
noladude2026
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 28, moved here 11 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Lakewood and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Limited shopping options
3. The walkability situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Baltimore, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
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