Hi all, We're a young couple and The unemployment rate is 4.3%, which is about average. It's a a smaller city city with about 25,843 people. You can expect to pay around $2,724 for rent here. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The weather takes some getting used to. Would love some local perspective. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The food scene here is surprisingly good. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
26 upvotes
23 Replies
Zachary G.
haha yep pretty much
40 upvotes
sunny_isabelle76
same here
37 upvotes
Leah Cox
haha yep pretty much
34 upvotes
Jameson Cruz
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Asian places. it exceeded my expectations.
34 upvotes
Parker G.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Baltimore about 1 years ago. The main reasons were school and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are competitive, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
32 upvotes
Oliver White
Bought a house here in 2023 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
31 upvotes
Dylan Torres
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Lakewood. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in finance. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
29 upvotes
Samuel N.
literally same
25 upvotes
Harper Diaz
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much manageable but now it's challenging.
22 upvotes
Emilia W.
I'm a electrician and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
22 upvotes
Audrey Johnson
noted, appreciate it
18 upvotes
Carolyn C.
couldn't agree more
15 upvotes
Riley Phillips
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Hope this helps!.
13 upvotes
Reagan Garcia
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
6 upvotes
Everly Bennett
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 54, moved here 6 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in South and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The job market situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for families. excellent vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K 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.
5 upvotes
Chloe Robinson
it depends on the neighborhood
4 upvotes
Weston Watson
Used to live on the Eastside side, now on the Midtown side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
4 upvotes
Maverick Phillips
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
3 upvotes
Michael C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in East. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
3 upvotes
Alexa Castillo
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 34, moved here 14 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Sunset and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited shopping options
3. The cultural scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
2 upvotes
Willie M.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is average in most areas.
1 upvotes
Ava Morgan
glad someone said it
1 upvotes
Andrew Martinez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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