Hey, I'm retired and You can expect to pay around $866 for rent here. Median household income is $63,934, which feels about average for the area. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Am I wrong here? The weather takes some getting used to. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
13 upvotes
29 Replies
Ethan Ward
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from New York about 13 years ago. The main reasons were weather and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are competitive, gas is excellent.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Happy to answer more specific questions..
40 upvotes
Aubrey Sanchez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Oak Park. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Hope this helps!.
39 upvotes
Theodore L.
Came here for cost of living and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The safety is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
39 upvotes
Joseph
couldn't agree more
38 upvotes
Mia Taylor
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 14 years. Moved from San Francisco for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. East schools are tough. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Bugs and humidity in summer. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Jaxon L.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 4 years. Moved from Nashville for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
marketing is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have state parks 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 underrated. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Dating scene is rough. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Isaiah Cook
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
30 upvotes
Landon Lewis
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Springfield) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. safety 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.
30 upvotes
Madeline Hernandez
noted, appreciate it
30 upvotes
Jacob B.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Lakewood. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
30 upvotes
jackson_local
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Tampa about 4 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are stable, gas is average.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Feel free to reach out with questions..
29 upvotes
Landon J.
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
27 upvotes
lake_ella18
glad someone said it
25 upvotes
Wesley L.
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Close to major attractions
- Good airport with direct flights
- The outdoor recreation scene is tough
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Audrey Hughes
preach
20 upvotes
Kayden Davis
Used to live on the East side, now on the Greenfield side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
20 upvotes
Kennedy Torres
yep
17 upvotes
Alice Davis
it depends on the neighborhood
16 upvotes
Mason Rogers
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
13 upvotes
Isla
+1
11 upvotes
Cameron B.
nah I disagree
10 upvotes
James Nelson
seconding this
8 upvotes
Connor Reed
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 28, moved here 15 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in East and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The healthcare situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for retirees. solid vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Raleigh, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
7 upvotes
Alice Hernandez
I've lived in South for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
- The pet-friendliness scene is improving
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
6 upvotes
Nova Myers
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Oak Park. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in real estate. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
4 upvotes
Levi Evans
Came here for retirement and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
4 upvotes
Zoe Wright
Bought a house here in 2021 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
2 upvotes
Ruby Nelson
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is walkability. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
2 upvotes
Thomas Williams
I work in government here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is excellent. Happy to answer more specific questions..
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