So, My partner and I are You can expect to pay around $1,163 for rent here. The unemployment rate is 1.5%, which is pretty low. Crime rate is something to consider -Florence sits at 166.8 per 100K. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
Pros:
- Growing food scene
- Easy commute
- Strong sense of community
- Plenty of shopping options
Cons:
- Hot summers
- Sprawl everywhere
- Mosquitoes and humidity
Any advice would be great. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The weather takes some getting used to. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The city has invested a lot in new development. The food scene here is surprisingly good. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
27 upvotes
23 Replies
Mason D.
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
40 upvotes
Ethan Wilson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 58, moved here 1 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Uptown and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Can feel isolated
3. The traffic situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for retirees. tough vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Chicago, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K 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.
34 upvotes
Aubrey Hughes
I've lived in Greenfield for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Close to major attractions
- Good airport with direct flights
- The housing market scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
34 upvotes
Hailey W.
Came here for family and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The weather is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
31 upvotes
Connor Kelly
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: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in North. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in tech. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Hope this helps!.
27 upvotes
Landon Cook
exactly what I was thinking
25 upvotes
Amelia Wilson
Came here for work and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The safety is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
25 upvotes
Rylee Gray
it depends on the neighborhood
24 upvotes
Madeline Lewis
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 1 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
24 upvotes
Michael R.
big facts right here
22 upvotes
Colton Ramos
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
22 upvotes
Emily Johnson
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Definitely worth checking out..
20 upvotes
John Murphy
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. Definitely worth checking out..
20 upvotes
Eli C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 6 years. Moved from Denver for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2022 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. tech 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:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have biking 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 excellent. 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 high-paying job options. Limited shopping options. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Abigail Jones
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is excellent in most areas.
14 upvotes
austin_ellie
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Seattle about 9 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is excellent.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. No regrets on my end..
13 upvotes
Scarlett Myers
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
12 upvotes
Carter
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 10 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
11 upvotes
Jonathan
I'm a software engineer and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
10 upvotes
raleighliving2021
I've lived in South for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. 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:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good internet infrastructure
- The public transit scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
6 upvotes
Alice
Moved here from Miami about 11 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to nightlife but Hope this helps!.
3 upvotes
Mason J.
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- The outdoor recreation scene is improving
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Feel free to reach out with questions..
3 upvotes
Leah Scott
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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