Anyone else feel this way? My partner and I are The median home value here is around $180,200, which is actually reasonable. Household incomes average around $54,901 in Lancaster. Poverty rate is 10.5%, which is around average. Average temperature is around 53--F, so expect cold winters. The suburbs are where most families end up. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Any advice would be great. TIA! Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
0 upvotes
15 Replies
Miles Campbell
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Pine Hills. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in consulting. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Hope this helps!.
35 upvotes
dallas_adam
Used to live on the East side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
32 upvotes
Lillian B.
honestly same experience here
31 upvotes
Adeline King
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
31 upvotes
Mason T.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Austin about 1 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is tough.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
30 upvotes
Mackenzie Gomez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 45, moved here 4 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Oak Park and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The traffic situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$90K 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.
28 upvotes
Everly
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 50, moved here 11 years ago from LA. I've lived in Lakewood and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The walkability situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for retirees. improving vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 LA, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K 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.
22 upvotes
kennedy_rider
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Phoenix about 1 years ago. The main reasons were work and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is challenging.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Feel free to reach out with questions..
22 upvotes
Reagan A.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 3 years. Moved from Tampa for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are excellent. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Rising rent and home prices. Homeless population growing downtown. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
Declan Green
Came here for quality of life and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The cost of living is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
19 upvotes
Natalie Flores
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
10 upvotes
cool_leonardo90
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much reasonable but now it's challenging.
9 upvotes
Lily Miller
+1
7 upvotes
Hudson White
facts
7 upvotes
Maverick
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Highland. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in retail. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like sushi.
All Countries
