Hey folks, Military spouse here. Homes are going for about $228,000 on average. Rent is about $971/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 2.6%, which is pretty low. The suburbs are where most families end up. Am I overthinking this? Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to.
6 upvotes
23 Replies
Liam Martin
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
40 upvotes
Sophie Richardson
big facts right here
40 upvotes
Samuel H.
literally same
39 upvotes
Natalie Sanders
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 5 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
36 upvotes
Aiden Evans
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 14 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
33 upvotes
Isabelle N.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Lakewood. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
32 upvotes
Lydia Castillo
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much reasonable but now it's decent.
29 upvotes
Xavier M.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Feel free to reach out with questions..
27 upvotes
Natalie Flores
Came here for school and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The dating scene is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
24 upvotes
Liam Patel
bump
20 upvotes
Jack
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
16 upvotes
sunny_everly88
interesting, hadn't considered that
12 upvotes
Serenity King
Used to live on the Midtown side, now on the Sunset side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
10 upvotes
Mia B.
I work in retail here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is underrated. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
10 upvotes
Olivia Johnson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 54, moved here 11 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Can feel isolated
3. The cultural scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for singles. average vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Phoenix, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $60K-$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.
6 upvotes
Thomas Mendoza
Saving this thread
6 upvotes
phoenix_ruby
this is the way
5 upvotes
Aurora Perez
Bought a house here in 2016 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone about the same since then.
4 upvotes
cool_lily69
I work in finance here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Feel free to reach out with questions..
4 upvotes
Camila Gomez
I'm a physical therapist and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
2 upvotes
Jackson Bailey
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
0 upvotes
Henry Castillo
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Tampa about 14 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Close to major attractions
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are stable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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