Hey folks, Poverty rate is 4.7%, which is pretty low. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The weather takes some getting used to. Has anyone dealt with this? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
3 upvotes
15 Replies
Genesis
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Salt Lake City 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 challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
39 upvotes
Owen T.
it depends on the neighborhood
37 upvotes
Hudson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Boston about 15 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Affordable housing options
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are developing, gas is decent.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Good luck with whatever you decide..
32 upvotes
Michael Wright
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in West. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in legal. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
32 upvotes
Isaac H.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 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 3-bed in Midtown. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
29 upvotes
Daniel Rivera
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
26 upvotes
Maverick
Moved here from Minneapolis about 13 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to job market but Definitely worth checking out..
24 upvotes
Mason Martinez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 45, moved here 8 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Old Town and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Close to major attractions
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The food scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for couples. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Houston, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K 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.
16 upvotes
Cora Miller
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is tough in most areas.
15 upvotes
bostondude2022
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Eastside. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in legal. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
11 upvotes
Carson Nguyen
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from New York about 11 years ago. The main reasons were school and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good internet infrastructure
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are stable, gas is excellent.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
6 upvotes
Camila Bailey
exactly what I was thinking
6 upvotes
Nova Gray
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great BBQ places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
5 upvotes
Leah Lee
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 7 years. Moved from New York for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. West schools are challenging. 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. Limited public transit options. Urban sprawl is real. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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