Hey folks, Been living here since 2019. Crime rate is something to consider -DeKalb sits at 577.5 per 100K. The unemployment rate is 7.2%, which is concerning. The median home value here is around $202,900, which is actually reasonable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. What do you all think? The city has invested a lot in new development. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The food scene here is surprisingly good. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
12 upvotes
11 Replies
Ann W.
yeah no that's not right
40 upvotes
elizabeth_vibes
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 10 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
36 upvotes
sf_savannah
bump
36 upvotes
Andrew Bennett
Can confirm, been here 14 years.
35 upvotes
Isaac C.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
35 upvotes
Jackson Evans
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much pricey but now it's underrated.
34 upvotes
raised_genesis21
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Lakewood area are solid. Kids love it here.
31 upvotes
savannah_dude
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 52, moved here 11 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Westside and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally underrated - 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 public transit situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for singles. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K 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.
28 upvotes
Ruby Johnson
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
14 upvotes
Avery Cook
underrated comment
8 upvotes
Lily Peterson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
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