OK so I'm a college student here and You can expect to pay around $803 for rent here. Poverty rate is 8.1%, which is pretty low. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Am I wrong here?
10 upvotes
14 Replies
Audrey Cox
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The housing market is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
39 upvotes
Willow M.
been saying this for years
37 upvotes
Sarah Turner
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 31, moved here 2 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Lakewood and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The dating scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Miami, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K 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.
31 upvotes
Aubrey Hernandez
Moved here from San Diego about 9 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to traffic but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
24 upvotes
Cooper P.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 8 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
20 upvotes
Wyatt Chavez
bump
19 upvotes
Lucas K.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
18 upvotes
Hailey T.
bump
16 upvotes
Ezekiel Johnson
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
15 upvotes
Eva Howard
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great farm-to-table places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
6 upvotes
Landon S.
haha yep pretty much
6 upvotes
Asher Harris
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Old Town. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Definitely worth checking out..
4 upvotes
Leo D.
Bought a house here in 2023 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone about the same since then.
3 upvotes
Avery W.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
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