OK so Born and raised here. Household incomes average around $81,034 in Glide. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Worth the trade-offs? Property taxes are high but you get good services.
14 upvotes
13 Replies
Zoey Jackson
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is excellent in most areas.
37 upvotes
Genesis
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 49, moved here 1 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Low crime in most neighborhoods
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 cost of living situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for retirees. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
35 upvotes
Caleb Cox
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 57, moved here 9 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Oak Park and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The cost of living situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for couples. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 San Diego, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
32 upvotes
Brielle Peterson
interesting, hadn't considered that
29 upvotes
detroitmind2021
Came here for work and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The dating scene is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
25 upvotes
Jaxon C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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
Carter Walker
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
15 upvotes
stllocal2022
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 55, moved here 1 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Eastside and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The outdoor recreation situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for singles. solid 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 Portland, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
12 upvotes
Paisley Jimenez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 9 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
8 upvotes
Hannah P.
literally same
8 upvotes
Audrey
honestly same experience here
7 upvotes
Ariana
seconding this
1 upvotes
Isabelle Morales
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.