OK so I'm a 37-year-old lawyer and Homes are going for about $112,700 on average. The unemployment rate is 1.2%, which is pretty low. Poverty rate is 30.3%, which is higher than I expected. Household incomes average around $44,000 in Lamar. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Has anyone dealt with this? Any help is appreciated. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
3 upvotes
14 Replies
Anna Ward
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great Thai places. it exceeded my expectations.
39 upvotes
Nathan Morales
hmm interesting perspective
38 upvotes
Ryan J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 34, moved here 10 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Old Town and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The food scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: 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 Seattle, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
35 upvotes
Anna Anderson
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 13 years here, that's my honest assessment.
31 upvotes
Alice Rogers
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 1 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into running, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
31 upvotes
Angel Howard
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely pretty good and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene 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.
20 upvotes
alice_mind
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if cultural scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
19 upvotes
Ryan Nguyen
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Portland it's solid.
18 upvotes
Adeline Rodriguez
100%
16 upvotes
Benjamin Brooks
Moved here last year, no regrets.
16 upvotes
Adrian
I've lived in Highland for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Four distinct seasons
- Close to major attractions
- The housing market scene is tough
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Hope this helps!.
15 upvotes
Oliver Richardson
wish I knew this sooner
9 upvotes
Everett B.
same here
6 upvotes
Lucas Phillips
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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