Sign In Register
Wesley Ruiz living

Why I chose College Park over bigger cities

Hey folks, The unemployment rate is 4.3%, which is about average. With a population of 34,397, College Park is a smaller city. Poverty rate is 8.1%, which is pretty low. You can expect to pay around $1,846 for rent here. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services. What do you all think? Any help is appreciated. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The city has invested a lot in new development. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
12 upvotes

13 Replies

Eleanor Campbell
hmm interesting perspective
39 upvotes
Kennedy
I've lived in Lakewood for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
- The nightlife scene is underrated

The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Homeless population growing downtown

Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Feel free to reach out with questions..
39 upvotes
Hudson Brooks
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
36 upvotes
Silas Parker
same here
25 upvotes
Julian S.
seconding this
21 upvotes
Theodore R.
same here
19 upvotes
Connor Reed
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to Salt Lake City it's pretty good.
18 upvotes
Madelyn C.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
16 upvotes
Mackenzie D.
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
16 upvotes
hudson_runner
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
11 upvotes
Piper Bailey
yep
11 upvotes
Eva Johnson
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
11 upvotes
everett_lover
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
6 upvotes
← Back to College Park Community