Hi all, Average temperature is around 64--F, so the weather is moderate. The median home value here is around $169,300, which is actually reasonable. Crime rate is something to consider -Concord sits at 272.0 per 100K. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
13 upvotes
15 Replies
Cynthia R.
Saving this thread
38 upvotes
Emma J.
I've lived in Springfield for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- The housing market scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
35 upvotes
Victoria Ward
I've lived in Fairview for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of new development happening
- The public transit scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Good luck with whatever you decide..
33 upvotes
Isaiah Price
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 11 years. Moved from San Diego for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. engineering 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 challenging - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Lakewood schools are tough. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Far from beaches/mountains. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Lydia Ruiz
100%
24 upvotes
Zoe Baker
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 4 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
12 upvotes
Kayden
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely better than expected and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Fairview) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. job market 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.
11 upvotes
lalocal2021
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
10 upvotes
Natalie
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 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 Sunset. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Definitely worth checking out..
6 upvotes
John Harris
Came here for work and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The food scene is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
4 upvotes
Harper Sanders
couldn't agree more
4 upvotes
mesaheart2020
literally same
4 upvotes
Roman Bennett
spot on
2 upvotes
portlandlover2022
Moved here from Phoenix about 13 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Definitely worth checking out..
1 upvotes
Elijah Green
I work in healthcare here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is tough. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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