Hey, Poverty rate is 15.0%, which is around average. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The suburbs are where most families end up. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The city has invested a lot in new development.
8 upvotes
13 Replies
Beverly R.
I'm a project manager and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
40 upvotes
Isabella A.
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: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Meadowbrook. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in retail. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
38 upvotes
Elizabeth Jones
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Raleigh about 12 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is solid.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Definitely worth checking out..
36 upvotes
Madelyn Williams
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 4 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
29 upvotes
Dylan Ortiz
Came here for cost of living and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The cost of living is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
23 upvotes
Josiah
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in West area are improving. Kids love it here.
21 upvotes
Sadie R.
I've lived in Midtown for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong sense of community
- The community vibe scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. Definitely worth checking out..
19 upvotes
Evelyn H.
I've lived in Highland 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 Salt Lake City, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- The school system scene is average
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Winters are long and cold
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
15 upvotes
omahaguy2026
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 5 years. Moved from Austin for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. healthcare 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 exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have hiking trails 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 improving. 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. Dating scene is rough. Far from beaches/mountains. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Jordan Brown
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in North. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in legal. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Hope this helps!.
12 upvotes
Wesley Morales
interesting, hadn't considered that
8 upvotes
Katherine M.
exactly what I was thinking
7 upvotes
Cooper Price
Came here for cost of living and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The community vibe is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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