Not sure if this has been asked before, but I'm a nurse at the local hospital and The unemployment rate is 8.5%, which is concerning. Crime rate is something to consider -Garden Acres sits at 1,331.5 per 100K. Household incomes average around $62,895 in Garden Acres. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Is this normal for Garden Acres? The food scene here is surprisingly good. The city has invested a lot in new development. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
11 upvotes
11 Replies
Hunter Roberts
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Uptown. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in construction. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
35 upvotes
Melanie S.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Springfield. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in retail. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
29 upvotes
Miles A.
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
28 upvotes
Evan Young
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 3 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
25 upvotes
Hudson Morris
been saying this for years
24 upvotes
Gabriella Peterson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 49, moved here 14 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Westside and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Decent public transit for the size
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. Dating scene is rough
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The school system situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for retirees. solid 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 Seattle, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K 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.
23 upvotes
Caleb
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely challenging and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Westside) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
23 upvotes
Colton Jimenez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Baltimore about 4 years ago. The main reasons were school and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are developing, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Hope this helps!.
23 upvotes
Kennedy N.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Oak Park. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in finance. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Thai.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
22 upvotes
Savannah Gutierrez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 4 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
15 upvotes
Eva Phillips
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Downtown area are average. Kids love it here.
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