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Brooklyn Rodriguez
qa
Is Foresthill walkable?
Not sure if this has been asked before, but Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Anyone in a similar situation?
11 upvotes
14 Replies
Levi
Moved here from Tampa about 14 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to cultural scene but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
40 upvotes
Sadie Hughes
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
37 upvotes
Paisley Gutierrez
I've lived in Lakewood for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good healthcare facilities
- The cost of living scene is tough
The downsides:
- Limited shopping options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Hope this helps!.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good healthcare facilities
- The cost of living scene is tough
The downsides:
- Limited shopping options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Hope this helps!.
35 upvotes
Ezekiel Taylor
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Boston about 10 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are manageable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Hope this helps!.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Boston about 10 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are manageable, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Hope this helps!.
33 upvotes
Betty A.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 50, moved here 3 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Westside and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally excellent - 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 traffic situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Tampa, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
Background: I'm a project manager, 50, moved here 3 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Westside and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally excellent - 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 traffic situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Tampa, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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
alexa_local
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 31, moved here 4 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Lakewood and The Heights, 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 tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The job market situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for couples. hit or miss 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 Dallas, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$80K 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.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 31, moved here 4 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Lakewood and The Heights, 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 tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The job market situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for couples. hit or miss 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 Dallas, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$80K 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.
27 upvotes
Harper
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 15 years. Moved from Baltimore for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. tech 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:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. Pine Hills 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Dating scene is rough. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Pine Hills for 15 years. Moved from Baltimore for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. tech 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:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. Pine Hills 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Dating scene is rough. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Sadie R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 2 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
I've been here 2 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
22 upvotes
Clara T.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 8 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Springfield schools are underrated. 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. Can feel isolated. Bugs and humidity in summer. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Springfield for 8 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Springfield schools are underrated. 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. Can feel isolated. Bugs and humidity in summer. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
nolachef2023
been saying this for years
10 upvotes
Aria James
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Mexican places. it was the best decision I ever made.
10 upvotes
Alexis W.
I'm a lawyer and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
6 upvotes
native_adeline27
same here
6 upvotes
Ezra Gray
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 50, moved here 11 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Four distinct seasons
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. Limited shopping options
3. The walkability situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for remote workers. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Denver, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K 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.
Background: I'm a writer, 50, moved here 11 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Four distinct seasons
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. Limited shopping options
3. The walkability situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for remote workers. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Denver, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K 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.
3 upvotes