Hi all, Been living here since 2022. Rent is about $1,540/month for a decent place. It's a a smaller city city with about 33,070 people. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. TIA! Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development.
21 upvotes
6 Replies
Adrian Anderson
underrated comment
35 upvotes
Kennedy Chavez
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
31 upvotes
Roger D.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 8 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
30 upvotes
Mateo Ruiz
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
30 upvotes
Emma Roberts
Moved here last year, no regrets.
14 upvotes
Miles
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 45, moved here 2 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Lakewood and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The outdoor recreation situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Tampa, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K 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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