OK so I relocated for work and Crime rate is something to consider -Lawrence sits at 360.1 per 100K. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Worth the trade-offs? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
23 upvotes
24 Replies
Hailey
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 15 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
40 upvotes
Maya Watson
Moved here from San Francisco about 7 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to weather but Feel free to reach out with questions..
38 upvotes
Adeline Ramirez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in North. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in finance. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
38 upvotes
Kennedy Lopez
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in The Heights area are improving. Kids love it here.
37 upvotes
Nathan B.
big facts right here
30 upvotes
Liam Cook
Moved here from Houston about 9 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but No regrets on my end..
29 upvotes
Melanie Lopez
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
29 upvotes
Luke L.
The food scene here is average. Tons of great BBQ places. the quality of life is solid.
28 upvotes
Dominic K.
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the Westside side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
24 upvotes
Daniel Roberts
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 29, moved here 1 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Springfield and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The traffic situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Nashville, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
24 upvotes
Kai N.
I'm a accountant and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
22 upvotes
chill_jackson60
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
21 upvotes
Betty C.
This.
16 upvotes
Josiah Gutierrez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
16 upvotes
Aiden Gray
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Houston about 5 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are affordable, gas is average.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Feel free to reach out with questions..
15 upvotes
Abigail Ramos
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
14 upvotes
Brooklyn R.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is underrated in most areas.
13 upvotes
Jonathan Anderson
Moved here last year, no regrets.
12 upvotes
Emmett Watson
lol so true
9 upvotes
Ariana Scott
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great BBQ places. it's been a really good experience overall.
8 upvotes
Sebastian P.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
7 upvotes
Paisley Jimenez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 47, moved here 10 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in East and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The cultural scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for singles. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Baltimore, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
4 upvotes
Kaylee Collins
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Italian places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
3 upvotes
Xavier Hernandez
I've lived in Midtown for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Four distinct seasons
- The weather scene is decent
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. Hope this helps!.
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