Random thought, You can expect to pay around $1,360 for rent here. Rent is about $1,360/month for a decent place. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. What neighborhoods would you suggest? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
24 upvotes
10 Replies
Mia Gutierrez
facts
40 upvotes
Brooklyn
I work in education here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is tough. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
38 upvotes
Jace Y.
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Italian places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
26 upvotes
Delilah B.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 10 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
25 upvotes
Kai Rodriguez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Boston about 7 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are affordable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. No regrets on my end..
24 upvotes
Naomi Smith
Bought a house here in 2015 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
23 upvotes
Olivia Perez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 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 3-bed in Cedar Grove. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
8 upvotes
Autumn Scott
same here
4 upvotes
Madelyn King
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Uptown. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in construction. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Thai.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
4 upvotes
Kai Moore
Bought a house here in 2023 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
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