I grew up here but left for a while. Poverty rate is 8.1%, which is pretty low. It's a a smaller city city with about 32,966 people. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. What are your go-to spots? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
23 upvotes
15 Replies
coastal_melanie93
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 53, moved here 15 years ago from New York. I've lived in Riverside and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The food scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for families. hit or miss 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 New York, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K 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.
40 upvotes
Madelyn Foster
seconding this
36 upvotes
Matthew C.
following this thread
26 upvotes
Silas Thomas
facts
22 upvotes
Alice
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 12 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
21 upvotes
Oliver Ortiz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 11 years. Moved from New York for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is average - 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. Pine Hills schools are underrated. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Chain restaurants dominate. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
Wesley Flores
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 36, moved here 6 years ago from New York. I've lived in Midtown and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The housing market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for couples. underrated 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 improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K 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.
19 upvotes
John Green
great question, following
18 upvotes
Clara Alvarez
big facts right here
15 upvotes
Eleanor
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 25, moved here 11 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Old Town and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The community vibe situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: 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 Raleigh, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$100K 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.
11 upvotes
Bennett Reyes
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely tough and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Springfield) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job 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.
9 upvotes
Eva R.
following this thread
8 upvotes
cincy_andrew
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely decent and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Riverside) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. weather 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.
4 upvotes
Audrey Johnson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Nashville about 8 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Good airport with direct flights
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are developing, gas is tough.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
2 upvotes
Evelyn B.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 27, moved here 14 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Highland and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The weather situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for retirees. tough vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Atlanta, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K 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.
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