Hey everyone, Rent is about $2,293/month for a decent place. Crime rate is something to consider -Lake Arbor sits at 176.3 per 100K. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Any advice would be great. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
11 upvotes
13 Replies
Lauren A.
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Vietnamese places. it exceeded my expectations.
37 upvotes
Emilia B.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 7 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
30 upvotes
Dominic Nelson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 12 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
30 upvotes
atl_connor
Bought a house here in 2015 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
29 upvotes
Amber H.
100%
24 upvotes
Aubrey C.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
22 upvotes
Gabriella Nelson
nah I disagree
18 upvotes
Alexander Roberts
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
17 upvotes
Michael Sanders
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 34, moved here 11 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Midtown and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The pet-friendliness situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$70K 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.
13 upvotes
Emmett C.
I'm a pharmacist and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
8 upvotes
Nicholas
couldn't agree more
7 upvotes
Madeline Lewis
accurate
2 upvotes
Nathan Carter
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
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