Anyone else feel this way? I'm originally from Boston and Poverty rate is 18.9%, which is higher than I expected. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cheers. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
19 upvotes
18 Replies
Carson Castillo
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The walkability is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
40 upvotes
Axel Peterson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 24, moved here 12 years ago from Denver. I've lived in South and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The public transit situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for young professionals. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Denver, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
36 upvotes
Jesse G.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 14 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
35 upvotes
Evan
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
35 upvotes
Joshua Ortiz
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely improving and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Midtown) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife 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.
34 upvotes
Joseph Taylor
Used to live on the South side, now on the Uptown side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
29 upvotes
Riley Gonzalez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Seattle about 5 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Close to major attractions
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Happy to answer more specific questions..
27 upvotes
Oliver C.
exactly what I was thinking
24 upvotes
indy_madeline
been saying this for years
22 upvotes
Leah Williams
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
21 upvotes
Robert Gray
yep
19 upvotes
Clara P.
been saying this for years
18 upvotes
Elena Collins
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Maple Ridge. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in construction. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Italian.
No regrets on my end..
16 upvotes
Isaiah Hall
I work in engineering here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Hope this helps!.
9 upvotes
seattle_jose
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The traffic is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
8 upvotes
Donald A.
I've lived in Lakewood for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
- The weather scene is decent
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Feel free to reach out with questions..
6 upvotes
Kinsley
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Eastside. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in marketing. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Definitely worth checking out..
1 upvotes
Serenity Sanders
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely underrated and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Westside) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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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