With a population of 27,697, Homewood is a smaller city. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Anyone in a similar situation? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
30 upvotes
12 Replies
Piper Taylor
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Springfield. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in retail. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
35 upvotes
Parker Price
I'm a pharmacist and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
33 upvotes
Ryan Cox
Totally agree!
31 upvotes
Emily R.
Totally agree!
29 upvotes
loving_cooper63
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
15 upvotes
Gabriella Jones
Bought a house here in 2018 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone about the same since then.
9 upvotes
Cora Alvarez
I've lived in Westside 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 San Diego, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
- The traffic scene is improving
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Good luck with whatever you decide..
8 upvotes
Adrian Ortiz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 39, moved here 12 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Riverside and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The school system situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for retirees. average 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
8 upvotes
Mackenzie Mitchell
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Maple Ridge. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in retail. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
8 upvotes
Ryan King
spot on
5 upvotes
Ryan James
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Seattle it's better than expected.
5 upvotes
Bella W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 7 years. Moved from Charlotte for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2016 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. government 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are surprisingly good. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Can feel isolated. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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