First post here. Just moved here 3 months ago and It's a a smaller city city with about 28,764 people. You can expect to pay around $1,601 for rent here. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Worth the trade-offs? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
14 upvotes
18 Replies
Leonardo W.
Saving this thread
39 upvotes
Everett Scott
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The safety is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
38 upvotes
Sean G.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 3 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
37 upvotes
Gianna
preach
37 upvotes
Ruby M.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
35 upvotes
Jameson M.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
30 upvotes
Autumn B.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 24, moved here 4 years ago from New York. I've lived in Eastside and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The nightlife situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 New York, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
26 upvotes
Robert Davis
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
22 upvotes
Elijah Hernandez
as a local I can confirm
19 upvotes
Violet B.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
16 upvotes
Logan Phillips
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much manageable but now it's decent.
15 upvotes
Camila S.
nah I disagree
14 upvotes
Sophia Ward
Bought a house here in 2019 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
13 upvotes
Aurora
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in North. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in engineering. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
11 upvotes
Victoria W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Minneapolis about 10 years ago. The main reasons were school and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Lots of new development happening
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are reasonable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
11 upvotes
John Long
Came here for work and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The cost of living is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
8 upvotes
Hudson P.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 1 years. Moved from Miami for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. consulting 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:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is decent - 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. Midtown schools are challenging. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Limited shopping options. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
Alexander Bennett
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Salt Lake City it's solid.
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