Just moved here 7 months ago and Household incomes average around $109,116 in Dunwoody. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Thoughts? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
0 upvotes
15 Replies
Joseph Williams
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 7 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
39 upvotes
Hudson Mitchell
100%
39 upvotes
Jeremiah Myers
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 47, moved here 15 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Westside and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The public transit situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for singles. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Raleigh, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K 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.
34 upvotes
Adrian R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in West. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
25 upvotes
Emily
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 14 years. Moved from Minneapolis for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is solid - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Lakewood schools are decent. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Winters are long and cold. Far from beaches/mountains. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Vivian Phillips
glad someone said it
16 upvotes
Claire Ortiz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 31, moved here 4 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in North and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The public transit situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for young professionals. excellent 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 San Francisco, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
15 upvotes
austinheart2022
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely excellent and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
12 upvotes
Melanie Murphy
glad someone said it
11 upvotes
Jace Brooks
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Nashville about 8 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are growing, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Good luck with whatever you decide..
9 upvotes
Cameron B.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
7 upvotes
James W.
I'm a marketing manager and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
7 upvotes
Emma Wright
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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