Thinking about relocating to Lawrence from San Francisco
Random thought, Poverty rate is 15.1%, which is higher than I expected. It's a a smaller city city with about 88,297 people. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The city has invested a lot in new development.
18 upvotes
13 Replies
Matthew Garcia
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 33, moved here 15 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Highland and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good schools in most areas
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Property taxes are high
3. The safety situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for young professionals. decent vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
31 upvotes
Jayden C.
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The cost of living is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
29 upvotes
Leonardo Wood
I've lived in Uptown for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. 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:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Active local events and festivals
- The dating scene scene is average
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Good luck with whatever you decide..
26 upvotes
Piper Gomez
Used to live on the Old Town side, now on the Greenfield side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
26 upvotes
jaxlocal2026
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Southern places. it was the best decision I ever made.
23 upvotes
Hailey Evans
I've lived in West for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The school system scene is solid
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Feel free to reach out with questions..
22 upvotes
Hazel Jimenez
lol so true
21 upvotes
Violet G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in North. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in real estate. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
20 upvotes
Ethan Walker
The food scene here is average. Tons of great Mexican places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
19 upvotes
Lily James
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 1 years. Moved from Minneapolis for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. Meadowbrook schools are challenging. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Can feel isolated. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Mateo Kim
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great BBQ places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
7 upvotes
Sophie Castillo
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
5 upvotes
Donna R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 11 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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