So, I'm a college student here and It's a a smaller city city with about 39,183 people. The unemployment rate is 3.5%, which is pretty low. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Has anyone dealt with this? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development.
12 upvotes
26 Replies
Abigail Collins
I'm a contractor and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
38 upvotes
Claire Hughes
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Midtown area are challenging. Kids love it here.
36 upvotes
Axel C.
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The cost of living is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
36 upvotes
Kai S.
The food scene here is average. Tons of great Indian places. I love the pace of life here.
33 upvotes
Marilyn S.
+1
32 upvotes
Camila Moore
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Greenfield area are improving. Kids love it here.
32 upvotes
nola_abigail
+1
31 upvotes
Jonathan
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Definitely worth checking out..
28 upvotes
Isaac Martinez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 5 years. Moved from Nashville for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2024 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is tough - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are hit or miss. 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 shopping options. Far from beaches/mountains. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Gianna W.
Bought a house here in 2016 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone about the same since then.
26 upvotes
born_zoe41
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Asian places. it's been a really good experience overall.
23 upvotes
delilah_mama
I'm a chef and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
23 upvotes
Ruth C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 57, moved here 2 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in The Heights and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Four distinct seasons
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The community vibe situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for singles. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Baltimore, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K 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.
21 upvotes
David White
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely pretty good and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Sunset) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
21 upvotes
Jaxon Cox
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
19 upvotes
Luca R.
I've lived in Lakewood for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
- The housing market scene is tough
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Feel free to reach out with questions..
18 upvotes
Mia M.
Used to live on the West side, now on the South side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
15 upvotes
Lucas K.
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
15 upvotes
tulsaliving2026
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 10 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
15 upvotes
Amelia W.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. it's not perfect but it works for me. Worth doing your research before committing.
14 upvotes
Melanie Mendoza
noted, appreciate it
14 upvotes
Eli Sanders
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Denver about 2 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good airport with direct flights
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are growing, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
10 upvotes
urban_melanie64
thanks for sharing
10 upvotes
Jacob
it depends on the neighborhood
6 upvotes
Evelyn R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Old Town. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in retail. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Italian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
4 upvotes
James W.
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The safety is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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