First post here. Average temperature is around 68--F, so the weather is moderate. The median home value here is around $652,100, which is pretty steep. Rent is about $1,518/month for a decent place. Median household income is $96,715, which feels pretty solid for the area. It's a a smaller city city with about 37,805 people. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
Pros:
- Nice parks and trails
- Growing food scene
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong sense of community
- Good airport connections
Cons:
- Traffic can be terrible
- Rising rent prices
- Mosquitoes and humidity
- Chain restaurants dominate
Any advice would be great. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
9 upvotes
8 Replies
Bennett N.
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The school system is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
34 upvotes
nycwalker2024
not my experience at all
28 upvotes
Jack E.
I'm a software engineer and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
21 upvotes
Zachary H.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 14 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
11 upvotes
Dylan Anderson
interesting, hadn't considered that
11 upvotes
David
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 40, moved here 8 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Riverside and Lakewood, 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. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Property taxes are high
3. The traffic situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for retirees. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Denver, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K 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.
7 upvotes
Santiago Mitchell
it depends on the neighborhood
2 upvotes
Nora C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Charlotte about 11 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Affordable housing options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are competitive, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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