Anyone else feel this way? It's a a smaller city city with about 92,401 people. Homes are going for about $391,300 on average. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Am I overthinking this? There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
18 upvotes
21 Replies
Grayson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Miami about 3 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Four distinct seasons
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are affordable, gas is excellent.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
39 upvotes
Addison Hernandez
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great Mediterranean places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
39 upvotes
milwaukeechef2023
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 4 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
39 upvotes
Jayden Cox
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
38 upvotes
Eugene W.
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
38 upvotes
Serenity King
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 4 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
37 upvotes
Kenneth H.
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in South area are excellent. Kids love it here.
36 upvotes
Ella
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 4 years. Moved from Tampa for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is average - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Rising rent and home prices. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Emmett C.
Came here for family and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The traffic is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
33 upvotes
Bella Hughes
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
28 upvotes
Leonardo Price
exactly what I was thinking
28 upvotes
Harper Smith
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 12 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
28 upvotes
Evan
literally same
25 upvotes
David T.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 33, moved here 6 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Eastside and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The housing market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for remote workers. improving 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 Chicago, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K 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.
21 upvotes
Serenity Brooks
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
20 upvotes
Cora Jimenez
100%
18 upvotes
Kinsley
honestly same experience here
17 upvotes
Brooks Jones
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Dallas about 13 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are stable, gas is average.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
8 upvotes
Ezra
I've lived in Lakewood for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
- The community vibe scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
8 upvotes
Samuel R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 5 years. Moved from San Diego for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. tech 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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. Fairview schools are challenging. 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. Nightlife is limited. Road conditions need improvement. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Isaiah Ward
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
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