Hi all, I grew up here but left for a while. Crime rate is something to consider -Goldenrod sits at 274.3 per 100K. Poverty rate is 9.5%, which is pretty low. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Am I overthinking this? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
8 upvotes
14 Replies
Matthew
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor recreation is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
39 upvotes
Axel M.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to Minneapolis it's challenging.
39 upvotes
Nevaeh Richardson
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
38 upvotes
Rebecca M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 40, moved here 12 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Lakewood and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The cultural scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for young professionals. decent vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Phoenix, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$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
Santiago Turner
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Midtown. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in education. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
33 upvotes
Naomi K.
great question, following
32 upvotes
Amelia
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 3 years. Moved from Boston for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Limited high-paying job options. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Aaron T.
I work in tech here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is decent. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
26 upvotes
Isla Mendoza
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
17 upvotes
Alice Gutierrez
spot on
14 upvotes
Jose Cooper
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Thai places. I love the pace of life here.
10 upvotes
Skylar Long
underrated comment
3 upvotes
Cooper
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 13 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
2 upvotes
Claire Ortiz
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from San Francisco about 1 years ago. The main reasons were school and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good airport with direct flights
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are wild, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Feel free to reach out with questions..
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