Hi all, We have two kids and With a population of 88,297, Lawrence is a smaller city. Median household income is $57,903, which feels about average for the area. The unemployment rate is 6.0%, which is about average. Homes are going for about $393,500 on average. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to.
Pros:
- Affordable cost of living
- Nice parks and trails
- Close to nature
- Easy commute
- Active local events
Cons:
- Hot summers
- Limited nightlife
- Lack of diversity
- Chain restaurants dominate
Am I wrong here? The weather takes some getting used to. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The suburbs are where most families end up. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
10 upvotes
24 Replies
eva_heart
exactly what I was thinking
35 upvotes
David Brooks
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great BBQ places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
33 upvotes
wesley_dude
exactly what I was thinking
30 upvotes
Gabriella
I've lived in The Heights for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Active local events and festivals
- The healthcare scene is improving
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. No regrets on my end..
30 upvotes
Josiah
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
29 upvotes
Johnny R.
haha yep pretty much
26 upvotes
Nova Moore
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
25 upvotes
mountain_nicholas40
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
25 upvotes
Brielle Green
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Baltimore about 13 years ago. The main reasons were weather and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Active local events and festivals
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are wild, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. No regrets on my end..
24 upvotes
tampa_wyatt
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
24 upvotes
Matthew Carter
preach
21 upvotes
austinrider2024
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Asian places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
19 upvotes
Genesis Cooper
This.
18 upvotes
Zachary E.
+1
17 upvotes
Avery
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Meadowbrook. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in retail. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
11 upvotes
Camila Chavez
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
11 upvotes
real_ruby35
hmm interesting perspective
11 upvotes
Sadie M.
following this thread
8 upvotes
Hannah R.
lol so true
8 upvotes
Abigail R.
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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