Random thought, There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Has anyone dealt with this? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
79 upvotes
12 Replies
Adrian Thomas
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
35 upvotes
Lillian A.
as a local I can confirm
32 upvotes
Alexa Garcia
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 35, moved here 1 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Oak Park and East, 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. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Limited shopping options
3. The nightlife situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for retirees. decent vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Seattle, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K 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.
28 upvotes
Patricia S.
exactly what I was thinking
28 upvotes
Aubrey Ramirez
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Lakewood area are excellent. Kids love it here.
27 upvotes
Catherine B.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
22 upvotes
Evan Peterson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Midtown. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in retail. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Hope this helps!.
15 upvotes
Miles Torres
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The pet-friendliness is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
9 upvotes
Jaxon E.
great question, following
4 upvotes
Christian Hughes
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
3 upvotes
Andrew Thompson
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
3 upvotes
Elizabeth White
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 7 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's reasonable 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 excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
All Countries
