Hello, With a population of 49,284, Lawrence is a smaller city. It's a a smaller city city with about 49,284 people. Average temperature is around 52--F, so expect cold winters. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
27 upvotes
15 Replies
Elizabeth Ward
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Mediterranean places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
40 upvotes
Lily Cox
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 11 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
32 upvotes
Ellie Richardson
Came here for weather and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The walkability is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
30 upvotes
Kimberly L.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Maple Ridge. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in legal. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Definitely worth checking out..
23 upvotes
Brooks W.
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
23 upvotes
Sadie Long
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely pretty good and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (West) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
23 upvotes
Anna Perez
I'm a data analyst and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
22 upvotes
Isaiah Allen
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great Korean places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
15 upvotes
Marie P.
Bought a house here in 2016 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
14 upvotes
Lydia Kelly
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Portland it's decent.
14 upvotes
Cameron King
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
12 upvotes
real_leo53
Came here for cost of living and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The cultural scene is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
10 upvotes
Aaliyah James
I work in finance here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is excellent. Feel free to reach out with questions..
8 upvotes
Jaxon R.
yeah no that's not right
3 upvotes
Noah Ramirez
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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