Hey everyone, We have two kids and Median household income is $86,498, which feels pretty solid for the area. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up.
4 upvotes
14 Replies
mesakid2023
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Greenfield area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
38 upvotes
Cora Brown
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 47, moved here 15 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Lakewood and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Affordable housing options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Bugs and humidity in summer
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The safety situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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 Green
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 50, moved here 8 years ago from New York. I've lived in East and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Limited shopping options
3. The safety situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for retirees. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 New York, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K 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.
38 upvotes
Evan R.
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much manageable but now it's improving.
34 upvotes
Jackson James
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Dallas about 12 years ago. The main reasons were school and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are competitive, gas is excellent.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
33 upvotes
denverpapa2020
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in North area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
33 upvotes
Riley C.
hmm interesting perspective
19 upvotes
Hunter
literally same
19 upvotes
Serenity A.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is community vibe. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
18 upvotes
true_julia78
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much developing but now it's improving.
13 upvotes
Waylon Anderson
Used to live on the Uptown side, now on the Maple Ridge side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
12 upvotes
Isla White
this is the way
10 upvotes
Ava Ramos
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in North. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
3 upvotes
Claire
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
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