Longtime lurker here, The median home value here is around $656,800, which is pretty steep. Median household income is $169,862, which feels pretty solid for the area. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
13 upvotes
15 Replies
Caleb Lee
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great farm-to-table places. the quality of life is solid.
38 upvotes
Mackenzie Flores
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Downtown area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
37 upvotes
Wyatt C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 43, moved here 13 years ago from LA. I've lived in Lakewood and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The walkability situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for retirees. average vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 LA, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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
Miles M.
following this thread
32 upvotes
Adam James
accurate
30 upvotes
Dylan Thomas
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 5 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
18 upvotes
Dylan Kelly
This.
16 upvotes
Zoey Wright
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 7 years. Moved from Seattle for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2019 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. education 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:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is decent - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North 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. Winters are long and cold. Property taxes are high. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Connor Brown
I'm a electrician and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is average and there's always something going on.
13 upvotes
Zoey M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Greenfield. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in consulting. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
13 upvotes
Stella Mitchell
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
12 upvotes
Joyce C.
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The weather is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
7 upvotes
Angela J.
Bought a house here in 2023 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
7 upvotes
Samuel Foster
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. dating scene used to be much reasonable but now it's average.
1 upvotes
Sadie
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 47, moved here 13 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Riverside and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited shopping options
3. The cost of living situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for young professionals. average 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 Dallas, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
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