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Asher Rodriguez
moving
Is Kirkwood worth moving to in 2026?
Longtime lurker here, People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Any advice would be great.
19 upvotes
8 Replies
Jackson Diaz
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely average and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Highland) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely average and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Highland) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
33 upvotes
Jaxon Wood
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
33 upvotes
Kaylee Ruiz
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Southern places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
27 upvotes
Emma Long
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 50, moved here 9 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Uptown and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The cultural scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for singles. excellent vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Atlanta, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 50, moved here 9 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Uptown and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The cultural scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for singles. excellent vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Atlanta, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
23 upvotes
David
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
17 upvotes
liam_living
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
16 upvotes
Isabelle L.
Totally agree!
6 upvotes
William Reed
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Lakewood. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in government. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Hope this helps!.
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Lakewood. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in government. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Hope this helps!.
0 upvotes