Military spouse here. Poverty rate is 4.7%, which is pretty low. Homes are going for about $626,300 on average. The unemployment rate is 2.6%, which is pretty low. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The city has invested a lot in new development. The weather takes some getting used to. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Appreciate any input. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
6 upvotes
13 Replies
Naomi Lopez
accurate
39 upvotes
lasoul2022
this is the way
38 upvotes
Carter M.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
35 upvotes
Pamela A.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if cultural scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
33 upvotes
Ian Sanders
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
31 upvotes
Parker Lewis
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 1 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
27 upvotes
Roger P.
yeah no that's not right
22 upvotes
Jeremiah Ortiz
Bought a house here in 2021 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
9 upvotes
Jaxon Taylor
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is decent in most areas.
6 upvotes
Gabriel Smith
Saving this thread
5 upvotes
Henry Watson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 11 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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. West schools are decent. 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 public transit options. Urban sprawl is real. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes
Andrew Robinson
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Pittsburgh it's average.
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