I'm a college student here and With a population of 153K, Hollywood is a mid-size city. Median household income is $65,359, which feels about average for the area. Average temperature is around 76°F, so it's warm year-round. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Am I wrong here? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Property taxes are high but you get good services. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development. The weather takes some getting used to. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
12 upvotes
17 Replies
Jackson Lopez
facts
36 upvotes
Ashley B.
I've lived in Eastside for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The public transit scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. No regrets on my end..
32 upvotes
Sophia James
+1
32 upvotes
Luna Anderson
honestly same experience here
31 upvotes
chill_connor1
great question, following
29 upvotes
Eliana Chavez
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
28 upvotes
zoe_heart
I work in retail here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is improving. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
28 upvotes
Jose
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
27 upvotes
Ruby Lopez
I've lived in West for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Four distinct seasons
- The pet-friendliness scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. No regrets on my end..
20 upvotes
Axel Miller
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 8 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
13 upvotes
Nora W.
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much affordable but now it's challenging.
5 upvotes
Waylon Turner
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
5 upvotes
Hazel R.
seconding this
4 upvotes
Ellie Green
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
4 upvotes
Hailey Harris
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 53, moved here 7 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Uptown and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Close to major attractions
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The food scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for remote workers. average vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Nashville, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K 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.
4 upvotes
Ezekiel Peterson
Totally agree!
3 upvotes
omaha_aurora
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely solid and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Fairview) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. safety 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.
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