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Levi Hughes
best-worst
What surprised you most about Hollister?
Hey folks, Homes are going for about $679,300 on average. Am I overthinking this?
10 upvotes
14 Replies
Betty P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 58, moved here 6 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Highland and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The dating scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for retirees. tough vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Austin, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 58, moved here 6 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Highland and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The dating scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for retirees. tough vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Austin, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
39 upvotes
Xavier James
I work in education here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is improving. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
35 upvotes
Carson Rodriguez
I'm a HR manager and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
35 upvotes
tulsaheart2025
Moved here from Seattle about 2 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to walkability but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
34 upvotes
Johnny K.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 8 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
I've been here 8 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
26 upvotes
Sarah
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is excellent in most areas.
25 upvotes
Jayden Mitchell
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Chicago about 15 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good internet infrastructure
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are established, gas is underrated.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Feel free to reach out with questions..
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Chicago about 15 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good internet infrastructure
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are established, gas is underrated.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Feel free to reach out with questions..
21 upvotes
denvervibes2026
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 3 years. Moved from Seattle for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2022 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:**
tech is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have biking trails 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 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Limited entertainment options. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Lakewood for 3 years. Moved from Seattle for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2022 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:**
tech is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have biking trails 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 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Limited entertainment options. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Maya Peterson
good to know, thanks
14 upvotes
Jonathan Cox
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely solid and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely solid and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
7 upvotes
Jean R.
I work in government here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is hit or miss. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
6 upvotes
David Gonzalez
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much pricey but now it's pretty good.
4 upvotes
Ezra S.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Happy to answer more specific questions..
0 upvotes
Mateo Ruiz
literally same
0 upvotes