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Oliver moving

Just moved to Lafayette, any tips?

Anyone else feel this way? Household incomes average around $61,454 in Lafayette. With a population of 122K, Lafayette is a mid-size city. The city has invested a lot in new development. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Has anyone dealt with this?
8 upvotes

12 Replies

raleigh_elijah
bump
37 upvotes
Ruth S.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a electrician, 28, moved here 4 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Westside and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The food scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for singles. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Boston, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K here.

**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
36 upvotes
Grace R.
I work in education here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is hit or miss. No regrets on my end..
35 upvotes
Austin Ruiz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.

I've been here 13 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is better than expected.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Feel free to reach out with questions..
33 upvotes
Nolan
following this thread
30 upvotes
Rebecca M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a writer, 26, moved here 6 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Greenfield and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The pet-friendliness situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for retirees. solid vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K here.

**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
25 upvotes
Bennett Bailey
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
23 upvotes
Connor Carter
honestly same experience here
22 upvotes
Connor Murphy
nah I disagree
21 upvotes
Axel Ward
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The healthcare is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
7 upvotes
Axel P.
exactly what I was thinking
4 upvotes
Jackson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
3 upvotes
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