I'm retired and Homes are going for about $693,600 on average. You can expect to pay around $1,706 for rent here. It's a a small town city with about 7,479 people. Crime rate is something to consider -Eagle sits at 91.9 per 100K. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks in advance! Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The suburbs are where most families end up. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The city has invested a lot in new development. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
10 upvotes
12 Replies
Olivia R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 45, moved here 8 years ago from Boston. I've lived in East and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The healthcare situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for families. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Boston, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
38 upvotes
William Allen
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 11 years. Moved from Tampa for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is average - we have mountains 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 underrated. 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. Property taxes are high. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Angel H.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely improving and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
30 upvotes
Ann M.
great question, following
26 upvotes
Caroline Collins
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 30, moved here 12 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Sunset and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The dating scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for singles. decent vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Diego, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
25 upvotes
Julia Torres
good to know, thanks
25 upvotes
Elizabeth H.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 5 years. Moved from Austin for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are better than expected. 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. Far from beaches/mountains. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Stephen R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Charlotte about 3 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are stable, gas is average.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
14 upvotes
Sebastian Jones
Can confirm, been here 5 years.
9 upvotes
Christian Jones
I'm a nurse and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
6 upvotes
Everett Myers
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 12 years and I love the pace of life here. 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 better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
3 upvotes
Savannah Thompson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 11 years. Moved from San Francisco for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is tough - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Springfield schools are better than expected. 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. Nightlife is limited. Bugs and humidity in summer. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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