Curious what people think. We're a young couple and It's a a smaller city city with about 85,933 people. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Thanks for reading. The food scene here is surprisingly good. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
17 upvotes
21 Replies
Aaliyah Johnson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (South) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
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.
39 upvotes
Owen L.
yeah no that's not right
35 upvotes
Kinsley Sanders
100%
31 upvotes
Claire
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Midtown. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in retail. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Asian.
No regrets on my end..
30 upvotes
Alice H.
Used to live on the West side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
30 upvotes
Harper
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 8 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
30 upvotes
Brooklyn Jones
Bought a house here in 2021 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
29 upvotes
Stella Cook
I've lived in Old Town for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The pet-friendliness scene is tough
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. No regrets on my end..
29 upvotes
Deborah R.
100%
29 upvotes
Clara
Bought a house here in 2015 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
28 upvotes
Jace
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 6 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into running, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
28 upvotes
Emma M.
seconding this
27 upvotes
Josiah Williams
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 57, moved here 10 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Springfield and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The job market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for remote workers. improving vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Miami, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$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.
26 upvotes
Ezra Mendoza
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
25 upvotes
Ava C.
100%
19 upvotes
Elena Collins
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much developing but now it's tough.
17 upvotes
Delilah R.
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The safety is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
15 upvotes
Eva Murphy
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely pretty good and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
14 upvotes
Maya Ramirez
I work in healthcare here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Hope this helps!.
12 upvotes
Emily Gomez
hmm interesting perspective
9 upvotes
dcnative2021
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much wild but now it's better than expected.
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