Hey folks, I'm a remote worker and The unemployment rate is 4.5%, which is about average. You can expect to pay around $1,456 for rent here. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. Appreciate any input. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
89 upvotes
24 Replies
Elizabeth Jones
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The pet-friendliness is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
39 upvotes
Melanie Mendoza
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is challenging in most areas.
36 upvotes
Olivia Ross
Used to live on the East side, now on the Pine Hills side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
34 upvotes
emmett_chef
Bought a house here in 2016 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
34 upvotes
Clara Thompson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Lakewood. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in marketing. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
30 upvotes
Cora Alvarez
following this thread
30 upvotes
Emmett Ramirez
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much established but now it's excellent.
25 upvotes
Hannah S.
Used to live on the Lakewood side, now on the Fairview side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
24 upvotes
Caleb Scott
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 5 years. Moved from Raleigh for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are improving. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Rising rent and home prices. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Angel Baker
I work in manufacturing here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is excellent. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
23 upvotes
Nathan P.
I'm a software engineer and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
21 upvotes
David Alvarez
bump
21 upvotes
Ezra Martinez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Riverside. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
20 upvotes
Parker Diaz
I've lived in The Heights for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- The school system scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Feel free to reach out with questions..
19 upvotes
Eleanor P.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 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 4-bed in West. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in education. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like seafood.
No regrets on my end..
19 upvotes
wild_kaylee6
following this thread
18 upvotes
Peyton T.
Totally agree!
15 upvotes
Olivia C.
yeah no that's not right
13 upvotes
Emilia W.
Used to live on the Eastside side, now on the Fairview side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
11 upvotes
Chloe Mitchell
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Asian places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
10 upvotes
Dominic Edwards
yeah no that's not right
9 upvotes
Ezekiel Sanders
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Cedar Grove area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
9 upvotes
Abigail
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in South area are underrated. Kids love it here.
7 upvotes
Greyson Collins
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 4 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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