I work in manufacturing and The median home value here is around $159,100, which is actually reasonable. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Thoughts? The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
3 upvotes
4 Replies
Brooks Cook
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
40 upvotes
Ezra Myers
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 28, moved here 11 years ago from New York. I've lived in Lakewood and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Can feel isolated
3. The cultural scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for young professionals. improving vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 New York, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
17 upvotes
Helen P.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Austin about 2 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is solid.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
10 upvotes
maya_guy
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 14 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Downtown and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Close to major attractions
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The nightlife situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for young professionals. tough vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
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