Been meaning to ask this. I'm a nurse at the local hospital and Crime rate is something to consider -Gainesville sits at 364.2 per 100K.
2 upvotes
12 Replies
Wesley Hall
yep
39 upvotes
Thomas Lee
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 8 years. Moved from Boston for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights 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. Nightlife is limited. Dating scene is rough. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Daniel Richardson
Bought a house here in 2018 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
32 upvotes
orlandopapa2022
Came here for school and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The cultural scene is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
29 upvotes
Adrian W.
Can confirm, been here 6 years.
26 upvotes
Quinn K.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
22 upvotes
Adam Kelly
exactly what I was thinking
21 upvotes
Jaxon Ramirez
it depends on the neighborhood
20 upvotes
Genesis Mitchell
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 3 years. Moved from Boston for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2020 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have national forests 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 improving. 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. Far from beaches/mountains. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Jackson Diaz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 10 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
14 upvotes
Samuel Smith
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 7 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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