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Savannah Roberts
jobs
Best companies to work for in Hilo?
So, Would love some local perspective. Public transit needs a lot of work hone
11 upvotes
18 Replies
Linda R.
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The dating scene is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
39 upvotes
Ariana
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
38 upvotes
kayden_rider
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Raleigh about 9 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Close to major attractions
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are pricey, gas is underrated.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Definitely worth checking out..
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Raleigh about 9 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Close to major attractions
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are pricey, gas is underrated.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Definitely worth checking out..
35 upvotes
Zoe Hall
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 3 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
I've been here 3 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
33 upvotes
Ezra J.
Used to live on the Midtown side, now on the Greenfield side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
31 upvotes
Lillian Green
been saying this for years
29 upvotes
Sebastian Phillips
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 12 years. Moved from Nashville for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have lakes 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 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. Urban sprawl is real. Dating scene is rough. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Lakewood for 12 years. Moved from Nashville for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have lakes 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 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. Urban sprawl is real. Dating scene is rough. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Zoe
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 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 Maple Ridge. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in tech. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Maple Ridge. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in tech. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
25 upvotes
Nevaeh
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
19 upvotes
Leo White
facts
16 upvotes
Ruby Campbell
+1
14 upvotes
Sharon T.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 7 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into running, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
I've been here 7 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into running, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
13 upvotes
Wesley Ward
lol so true
9 upvotes
Nevaeh Clark
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Downtown area are solid. Kids love it here.
9 upvotes
Alan T.
I've lived in Old Town for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- The school system scene is improving
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- The school system scene is improving
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
9 upvotes
Savannah Hill
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 6 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
I've been here 6 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
9 upvotes
Julia Walker
Bought a house here in 2016 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
7 upvotes
Isabella Howard
I'm a marketing manager and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is average and there's always something going on.
7 upvotes