The median home value here is around $514,600, which is pretty steep. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Does this match your experience?
11 upvotes
16 Replies
Benjamin L.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is community vibe. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
39 upvotes
Ian Flores
following this thread
36 upvotes
Parker P.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 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 4-bed in Lakewood. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in education. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Korean.
No regrets on my end..
35 upvotes
Landon Ross
bump
35 upvotes
Nevaeh M.
exactly what I was thinking
30 upvotes
Barbara G.
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The dating scene is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
30 upvotes
Hailey B.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely underrated and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Riverside) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
26 upvotes
Jeremiah Long
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much stable but now it's pretty good.
20 upvotes
Logan H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 28, moved here 13 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Pine Hills and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The walkability situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: 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 Denver, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K 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.
17 upvotes
Vivian Brooks
I'm a writer and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
17 upvotes
Zoey Howard
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
16 upvotes
Caleb Reyes
Moved here from Chicago about 15 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to nightlife but Feel free to reach out with questions..
15 upvotes
true_vivian81
noted, appreciate it
12 upvotes
Hannah P.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
7 upvotes
Joshua R.
glad someone said it
0 upvotes
Zoe Cook
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 5 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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