Not sure if this has been asked before, but The median home value here is around $390,300, which seems about average. It's a a smaller city city with about 51,426 people. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. What are your go-to spots? Property taxes are high but you get good services.
27 upvotes
29 Replies
eleanor_runner
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely decent and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is stable 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 Limited high-paying job options.
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.
39 upvotes
Kinsley Morris
accurate
37 upvotes
Sophia N.
Moved here from Charlotte about 14 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to healthcare but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
36 upvotes
Waylon Martinez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 14 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
35 upvotes
Alexander A.
I'm a nurse and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
35 upvotes
Oliver P.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Baltimore about 10 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Active local events and festivals
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is tough.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Hope this helps!.
34 upvotes
Brielle H.
facts
33 upvotes
Lydia Kelly
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Good luck with whatever you decide..
30 upvotes
Allison Davis
big facts right here
28 upvotes
Dylan Bailey
same here
27 upvotes
Kayden Lewis
I work in education here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is improving. No regrets on my end..
26 upvotes
Katherine Jackson
lol so true
23 upvotes
Silas Allen
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 13 years. Moved from Baltimore for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Lakewood schools are improving. 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. Limited public transit options. Far from beaches/mountains. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Clara R.
good to know, thanks
18 upvotes
Santiago Castillo
Can confirm, been here 8 years.
18 upvotes
Landon Gray
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Midtown. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in government. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
18 upvotes
Gianna Morales
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Houston it's average.
16 upvotes
Victoria W.
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in Westside area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
16 upvotes
Lily
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Minneapolis it's challenging.
16 upvotes
Joseph Taylor
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
15 upvotes
Leonardo C.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is traffic. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
15 upvotes
Philip H.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 7 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
13 upvotes
Ellie Roberts
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
13 upvotes
Ryan Adams
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 13 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
10 upvotes
Rylee Garcia
Bought a house here in 2020 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
9 upvotes
Brielle
I've lived in Uptown for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good internet infrastructure
- The weather scene is tough
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. No regrets on my end..
7 upvotes
Andrew W.
I work in manufacturing here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Happy to answer more specific questions..
5 upvotes
Kai Moore
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 29, moved here 14 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Lakewood and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The cultural scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Miami, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
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