I'm a remote worker and With a population of 1,008, Forrest is a small town. Rent is about $663/month for a decent place. Median household income is $70,417, which feels about average for the area. Crime rate is something to consider -Forrest sits at 378.2 per 100K. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
8 upvotes
8 Replies
Lydia Davis
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Old Town. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
38 upvotes
Chloe Rogers
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Phoenix about 7 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Active local events and festivals
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are wild, gas is excellent.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Definitely worth checking out..
35 upvotes
Austin Foster
been saying this for years
35 upvotes
Aaron Bailey
this is the way
21 upvotes
Eva Evans
lol so true
18 upvotes
Sofia Phillips
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
13 upvotes
Jack Howard
great question, following
10 upvotes
Brielle
I've lived in Lakewood for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- The dating scene scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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