Hi all, I'm retired and Average temperature is around 65--F, so the weather is moderate. Rent is about $2,239/month for a decent place. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. What would you do? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
13 upvotes
8 Replies
Eugene E.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 58, moved here 8 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Highland and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The job market situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for families. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Austin, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
37 upvotes
Luna Howard
Totally agree!
35 upvotes
Ava
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 14 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
19 upvotes
Jeremy J.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in South. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in legal. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
19 upvotes
Angel
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is community vibe. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
18 upvotes
Maverick Ward
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Fairview. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in legal. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
12 upvotes
Skylar Watson
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
7 upvotes
Joseph Jackson
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
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