Not sure if this has been asked before, but I'm originally from Dallas and Household incomes average around $119,527 in El Verano. Homes are going for about $870,100 on average. The food scene here is surprisingly good. What would you do? The weather takes some getting used to.
15 upvotes
7 Replies
Mason
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great farm-to-table places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
34 upvotes
Maya Evans
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Lakewood. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
29 upvotes
Riley R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 51, moved here 11 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Lakewood and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for retirees. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$150K 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.
23 upvotes
Anna Rodriguez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Cedar Grove. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in education. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
18 upvotes
Ryan Reed
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 34, moved here 3 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Greenfield and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The job market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for families. underrated 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 Portland, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$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.
11 upvotes
Cooper Hill
thanks for sharing
9 upvotes
Lydia B.
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Springfield area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
All Countries
