So, I'm a teacher here and The median home value here is around $134,200, which is actually reasonable. With a population of 90,662, Lawton is a smaller city. The unemployment rate is 4.0%, which is pretty low. Crime rate is something to consider -Lawton sits at 925.7 per 100K. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The food scene here is surprisingly good. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
3 upvotes
22 Replies
Camila Gonzalez
I've lived in South for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
- The safety scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Happy to answer more specific questions..
40 upvotes
Audrey Martin
spot on
38 upvotes
Piper Jackson
good to know, thanks
36 upvotes
Lucy Sanchez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely improving and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
36 upvotes
Hailey B.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
34 upvotes
Isabelle C.
100%
33 upvotes
Cora W.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is average in most areas.
32 upvotes
Grayson
I'm a pharmacist and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
31 upvotes
Hunter Garcia
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 15 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
31 upvotes
Janice R.
+1
30 upvotes
loving_nathan56
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
29 upvotes
Nolan R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Midtown. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in education. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
28 upvotes
Amelia
same here
27 upvotes
Zoe Mitchell
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 48, moved here 5 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Uptown and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The walkability situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for retirees. tough vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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
Nicholas H.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
23 upvotes
Andrew
I've lived in Midtown for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Affordable housing options
- The pet-friendliness scene is solid
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Happy to answer more specific questions..
19 upvotes
Kathleen T.
I'm a teacher and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is average and there's always something going on.
18 upvotes
sunny_everly88
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 13 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
14 upvotes
Madeline Myers
Used to live on the Downtown side, now on the Meadowbrook side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
12 upvotes
Eva
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to LA it's decent.
7 upvotes
Avery R.
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the Sunset side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
1 upvotes
William Alvarez
I've lived in The Heights for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure
- The school system scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Happy to answer more specific questions..
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