Hello, I'm retired and What are your go-to spots? Looking forward to hearing from you all. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
10 upvotes
29 Replies
Madelyn Ramos
Used to live on the South side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
40 upvotes
Grayson Johnson
100%
37 upvotes
Aurora R.
I work in marketing here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is solid. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
37 upvotes
Lily Smith
I work in government here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is pretty good. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
36 upvotes
Avery Jones
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 3 years. Moved from Austin for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is improving - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are average. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Bugs and humidity in summer. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Brooks
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 41, moved here 7 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Uptown and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The traffic situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for families. tough 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 Charlotte, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
31 upvotes
kayden_native
Moved here from Baltimore about 7 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to walkability but Hope this helps!.
31 upvotes
Ryan Taylor
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Denver about 14 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are wild, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Happy to answer more specific questions..
30 upvotes
Mason Patel
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Chicago about 14 years ago. The main reasons were work and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Active local events and festivals
- Strong sense of community
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are growing, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. No regrets on my end..
29 upvotes
Jacob Bailey
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Pittsburgh 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 excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
29 upvotes
Waylon Green
not my experience at all
27 upvotes
Jeremy P.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in North. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Definitely worth checking out..
18 upvotes
Nicholas G.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 4 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into running, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
17 upvotes
Carol L.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
17 upvotes
Luca
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 3 years. Moved from Boston for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. healthcare 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:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. Lakewood schools are tough. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Winters are long and cold. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Cameron Reyes
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in East. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in real estate. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
16 upvotes
Isla J.
I've lived in Old Town for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good airport with direct flights
- The traffic scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Feel free to reach out with questions..
14 upvotes
Victoria Cox
Bought a house here in 2016 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
12 upvotes
Landon Gutierrez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
12 upvotes
Ryan R.
this is the way
12 upvotes
Caroline Stewart
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 2 years. Moved from Tampa for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is decent - 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. West schools are decent. 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 dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Diana G.
good to know, thanks
9 upvotes
Sebastian Kelly
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 36, moved here 7 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Limited shopping options
3. The traffic situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for singles. underrated 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 Miami, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K 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.
9 upvotes
Wesley S.
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong job market in several industries
- The safety scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Winters are long and cold
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
8 upvotes
Delilah Lopez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Raleigh about 3 years ago. The main reasons were school and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are affordable, gas is improving.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. No regrets on my end..
6 upvotes
Mackenzie T.
Bought a house here in 2017 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone about the same since then.
6 upvotes
Sadie C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 45, moved here 2 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Lakewood and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Low crime in most neighborhoods
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The community vibe situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for retirees. decent vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K 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.
5 upvotes
Carter Wilson
I work in legal here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is tough. Happy to answer more specific questions..
4 upvotes
Luke Gonzalez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from New York about 2 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good internet infrastructure
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are affordable, gas is challenging.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Feel free to reach out with questions..
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