Hey folks, I'm retired and With a population of 35,492, Kendall West is a smaller city. Poverty rate is 12.8%, which is around average. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The weather takes some getting used to. Am I wrong here? The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
5 upvotes
21 Replies
Weston Sanders
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is improving in most areas.
34 upvotes
Hudson Gonzalez
noted, appreciate it
33 upvotes
Kathryn J.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 11 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
32 upvotes
Weston Martin
Bought a house here in 2015 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone about the same since then.
32 upvotes
Jeremiah J.
great question, following
32 upvotes
Eleanor Moore
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 6 years. Moved from Dallas for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
construction is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is pretty 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. Downtown schools are improving. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Limited entertainment options. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Charlotte
bump
29 upvotes
Theresa N.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Minneapolis about 9 years ago. The main reasons were family and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are developing, gas is underrated.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Hope this helps!.
27 upvotes
kc_weston
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
26 upvotes
Scarlett A.
noted, appreciate it
26 upvotes
Willow Collins
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
24 upvotes
Leo James
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Lakewood. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in government. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
22 upvotes
Anna
haha yep pretty much
22 upvotes
Nora Jones
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
22 upvotes
Savannah Adams
underrated comment
21 upvotes
columbusheart2024
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 13 years. Moved from San Francisco for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. Highland 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. Limited entertainment options. Far from beaches/mountains. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Michael R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 9 years. Moved from Phoenix for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are pretty 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. Rising rent and home prices. Can feel isolated. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Valentina Collins
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The weather is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
6 upvotes
Arthur B.
Saving this thread
5 upvotes
Lily Jackson
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
4 upvotes
Aiden James
I'm a lawyer and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
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