First post here. The unemployment rate is 2.6%, which is pretty low. You can expect to pay around $916 for rent here. Rent is about $916/month for a decent place. Homes are going for about $144,000 on average. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The weather takes some getting used to. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
7 upvotes
8 Replies
Ethan White
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Southern places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
37 upvotes
Adam S.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 53, moved here 8 years ago from LA. I've lived in Lakewood and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The school system situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 LA, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
27 upvotes
Mason Watson
I'm a teacher and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
24 upvotes
Sarah Watson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
22 upvotes
Christian Hill
Can confirm, been here 1 years.
10 upvotes
Kennedy Watson
spot on
2 upvotes
Clara White
thanks for sharing
2 upvotes
Cooper
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 25, moved here 12 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Lakewood and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Nice parks and green spaces
4. The people are generally decent - 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 healthcare situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for singles. average vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Houston, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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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