OK so Born and raised here. Average temperature is around 51--F, so expect cold winters. The unemployment rate is 3.0%, which is pretty low. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. What do you all think? Any help is appreciated. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The city has invested a lot in new development. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
10 upvotes
30 Replies
Chloe Smith
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The housing market is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
40 upvotes
Kai Lopez
Totally agree!
37 upvotes
Claire
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The traffic is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
34 upvotes
Addison King
Bought a house here in 2019 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone about the same since then.
34 upvotes
Aurora Carter
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great seafood places. it exceeded my expectations.
32 upvotes
Mackenzie Gomez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Lakewood. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in consulting. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
29 upvotes
Stella Rogers
yep
28 upvotes
Dominic
interesting, hadn't considered that
28 upvotes
Mackenzie
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely better than expected and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
27 upvotes
Autumn Diaz
I'm a project manager and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
27 upvotes
Andrew Lee
accurate
27 upvotes
Cora Morris
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Tampa about 7 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good internet infrastructure
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are growing, gas is solid.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
27 upvotes
Emmett Foster
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The healthcare is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
26 upvotes
Audrey Howard
I've lived in Lakewood for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Diverse dining options
- The weather scene is improving
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
26 upvotes
Adeline
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
22 upvotes
Elizabeth Hall
been saying this for years
21 upvotes
Sarah Morgan
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
19 upvotes
Kaylee Gray
following this thread
18 upvotes
Quinn Lopez
following this thread
17 upvotes
Ryan Baker
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the Cedar Grove side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
17 upvotes
William Jones
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 Dallas for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have lakes 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 pretty good. 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 shopping options. Limited entertainment options. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
13 upvotes
Hudson Parker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 34, moved here 3 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Cedar Grove and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Four distinct seasons
2. Affordable housing options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The outdoor recreation situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for singles. excellent vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K 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.
11 upvotes
Zoey Ruiz
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Old Town. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
10 upvotes
Isaiah Mitchell
Used to live on the Uptown side, now on the Highland side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
9 upvotes
Kinsley W.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
9 upvotes
bostonlocal2024
glad someone said it
8 upvotes
Wesley Gomez
I'm a accountant and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
5 upvotes
Mackenzie Gutierrez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Portland about 1 years ago. The main reasons were weather and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are reasonable, gas is challenging.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
4 upvotes
madeline_rider
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 25, moved here 7 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Eastside and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The housing market situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for singles. solid vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K 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.
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