Hi all, Military spouse here. Crime rate is something to consider -Clinton sits at 75.4 per 100K. Homes are going for about $412,200 on average. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. What are your go-to spots? The food scene here is surprisingly good. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The city has invested a lot in new development. The weather takes some getting used to.
12 upvotes
11 Replies
Kai Myers
I work in healthcare here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Feel free to reach out with questions..
38 upvotes
Jaxon T.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is underrated in most areas.
36 upvotes
Dylan
I've lived in Lakewood for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure
- The housing market scene is average
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Definitely worth checking out..
35 upvotes
Avery Morris
interesting, hadn't considered that
12 upvotes
Leo Ruiz
I've lived in West for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
- The outdoor recreation scene is average
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. No regrets on my end..
12 upvotes
Ella Long
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 14 years. Moved from San Diego for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. retail 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:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is tough - we have desert landscapes 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 excellent. 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 high-paying job options. Dating scene is rough. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Kaylee M.
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the Uptown side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
11 upvotes
Wyatt Gutierrez
big facts right here
11 upvotes
Greyson Myers
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Lots of new development happening
- The cultural scene scene is improving
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Feel free to reach out with questions..
11 upvotes
Peyton Gutierrez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 40, moved here 13 years ago from Miami. I've lived in South and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Property taxes are high
3. The job market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Miami, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.