So, I'm originally from St. Louis and Homes are going for about $928,700 on average. Crime rate is something to consider -Lake Forest Park sits at 21.9 per 100K. Household incomes average around $158,868 in Lake Forest Park. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The city has invested a lot in new development. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development.
3 upvotes
15 Replies
Daniel Ortiz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 13 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
34 upvotes
Scarlett Kim
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
27 upvotes
Weston Gray
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 27, moved here 5 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Springfield and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The dating scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for families. underrated vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Seattle, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K 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.
26 upvotes
Luca Ruiz
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Uptown. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in tech. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like sushi.
No regrets on my end..
24 upvotes
Evan Thomas
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much affordable but now it's hit or miss.
20 upvotes
Brooks H.
bump
20 upvotes
Jeremiah Myers
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely average and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Highland) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
20 upvotes
Kayden Cooper
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is average in most areas.
19 upvotes
Gabriella
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely decent and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (North) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Limited entertainment options.
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.
18 upvotes
Addison King
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely average and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (North) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
16 upvotes
Abigail Anderson
seconding this
12 upvotes
Owen Gutierrez
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
11 upvotes
James W.
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
5 upvotes
Reagan Phillips
following this thread
3 upvotes
Henry H.
Came here for school and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The school system is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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