Hey folks, My partner and I are It's a a small town city with about 13,866 people. Median household income is $124,036, which feels pretty solid for the area. The median home value here is around $416,500, which is pretty steep. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Any advice would be great. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
12 upvotes
12 Replies
Mark H.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Seattle about 12 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Four distinct seasons
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Winters are long and cold
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are competitive, gas is challenging.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
37 upvotes
Allison K.
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
36 upvotes
Brooklyn A.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
26 upvotes
Jean C.
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Lakewood area are improving. Kids love it here.
25 upvotes
James Flores
accurate
25 upvotes
Natalie Roberts
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
22 upvotes
Xavier
glad someone said it
20 upvotes
stl_brooks
I've lived in Downtown for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. 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:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Active local events and festivals
- The school system scene is solid
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
19 upvotes
Bennett K.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Hope this helps!.
16 upvotes
Evan Hill
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 30, moved here 1 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Fairview and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The nightlife situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for families. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K 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.
10 upvotes
Elijah Davis
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much reasonable but now it's better than expected.
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