Not sure if this has been asked before, but It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Thoughts? Thanks in advance!
29 upvotes
14 Replies
Kennedy Reed
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 24, moved here 6 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Lakewood and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The traffic situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K 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.
38 upvotes
Valentina Reed
been saying this for years
38 upvotes
Hunter Alvarez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 26, moved here 2 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Downtown and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The housing market situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for retirees. pretty good 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 Portland, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
35 upvotes
Madelyn
following this thread
35 upvotes
Everly Stewart
noted, appreciate it
28 upvotes
Adeline Hill
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely average and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Westside) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
26 upvotes
Reagan Carter
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 14 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
18 upvotes
Emilia Allen
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
16 upvotes
James Chavez
Bought a house here in 2016 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
10 upvotes
Stella Jackson
Bought a house here in 2015 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
6 upvotes
Julia L.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Highland. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in education. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
5 upvotes
Skylar Anderson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Charlotte about 3 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of new development happening
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited shopping options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are competitive, gas is solid.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Hope this helps!.
4 upvotes
Luna Kelly
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Nashville about 5 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Affordable housing options
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Summers can be brutally hot
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are developing, gas is underrated.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. No regrets on my end..
4 upvotes
Bella
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
All Countries
