Hey folks, Born and raised here. It's a a smaller city city with about 70,179 people. Rent is about $3,065/month for a decent place. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. What neighborhoods would you suggest?
20 upvotes
20 Replies
Caroline
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
39 upvotes
Grace Ramos
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is solid in most areas.
38 upvotes
Weston M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 9 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
32 upvotes
Ezekiel Baker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Atlanta about 10 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are stable, gas is average.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Feel free to reach out with questions..
26 upvotes
Levi
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is tough in most areas.
25 upvotes
Miles Robinson
I've lived in Lakewood for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Active local events and festivals
- Four distinct seasons
- The walkability scene is tough
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. Hope this helps!.
22 upvotes
Jameson Ross
I work in construction here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is better than expected. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
22 upvotes
Bennett
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 8 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Four distinct seasons
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are developing, gas is pretty good.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. No regrets on my end..
21 upvotes
Clara
interesting, hadn't considered that
19 upvotes
maya_walker
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 2 years. Moved from San Diego for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2018 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:**
manufacturing is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is tough - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook schools are excellent. 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. Limited public transit options. Dating scene is rough. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Carson Stewart
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much growing but now it's solid.
14 upvotes
happy_austin77
Moved here from Houston about 7 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to housing market but Happy to answer more specific questions..
13 upvotes
Olivia Edwards
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
12 upvotes
Zoe Collins
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Highland area are average. Kids love it here.
11 upvotes
houston_eva
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
6 upvotes
Naomi R.
I've lived in South for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Affordable housing options
- Diverse dining options
- The traffic scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Happy to answer more specific questions..
5 upvotes
Nora Morris
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
2 upvotes
Angel R.
bump
2 upvotes
jacob_local
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much pricey but now it's decent.
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