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Elijah B. living

Living in Dunbar -the reality

Longtime lurker here, My family moved here when I was a kid. Crime rate is something to consider -Dunbar sits at 166.2 per 100K. Rent is about $904/month for a decent place. Average temperature is around 54--F, so expect cold winters. Median household income is $54,647, which feels on the lower side for the area. Household incomes average around $54,647 in Dunbar. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.

Pros:
- Affordable cost of living
- Easy commute
- Strong sense of community
- Good internet infrastructure
- Plenty of shopping options

Cons:
- Limited nightlife
- Lack of diversity
- Far from major airports
- Homelessness issues downtown
It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The city has invested a lot in new development. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
1 upvotes

4 Replies

Mateo Ramirez
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. dating scene used to be much developing but now it's surprisingly good.
40 upvotes
Katherine Myers
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a software engineer, 57, moved here 4 years ago from Denver. I've lived in West and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The cost of living situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for young professionals. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K 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.
16 upvotes
Naomi Wright
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Highland. It's better than expected for what you get.

Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in consulting. If you're in consulting you might struggle.

People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: decent. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.

Happy to answer more specific questions..
11 upvotes
Eli W.
wish I knew this sooner
9 upvotes
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