So, I'm a teacher here and Household incomes average around $96,317 in Livonia. You can expect to pay around $1,284 for rent here. It's a a smaller city city with about 94,058 people. Average temperature is around 51--F, so expect cold winters. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Is this normal for Livonia? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
19 upvotes
29 Replies
Nova Clark
I've lived in Lakewood for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Close to major attractions
- The public transit scene is decent
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Feel free to reach out with questions..
36 upvotes
Nova Smith
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great farm-to-table places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
36 upvotes
Stella Lee
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Midtown area are excellent. Kids love it here.
36 upvotes
Madelyn Gray
Bought a house here in 2017 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
35 upvotes
Carson Walker
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
35 upvotes
Harold W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Springfield. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in education. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
32 upvotes
mountain_david50
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 13 years. Moved from San Francisco for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. 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 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. Uptown schools are tough. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Urban sprawl is real. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Hannah O.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 50, moved here 1 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Greenfield and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The traffic situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Houston, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
29 upvotes
Jaxon C.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
28 upvotes
Lillian B.
honestly same experience here
26 upvotes
Roman Jones
Used to live on the Riverside side, now on the Fairview side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
23 upvotes
Aiden Sanders
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Feel free to reach out with questions..
21 upvotes
Jace
+1
21 upvotes
Jaxon Patel
haha yep pretty much
18 upvotes
Everly Sanchez
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
18 upvotes
Matthew Reyes
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 4 years. Moved from New York for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2016 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:**
marketing is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. Midtown schools are decent. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Can feel isolated. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Nicholas Bailey
I've lived in West for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Nashville, 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
- Close to major attractions
- The nightlife scene is improving
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. Feel free to reach out with questions..
17 upvotes
Sophia Mendoza
facts
15 upvotes
Logan Jones
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 11 years. Moved from Seattle for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2021 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. construction 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 tough - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Riverside schools are surprisingly good. 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. Property taxes are high. Can feel isolated. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
13 upvotes
Owen Gutierrez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Cedar Grove. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in education. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
13 upvotes
Jameson Cook
Moved here last year, no regrets.
13 upvotes
Brooks Brooks
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Old Town area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
12 upvotes
Serenity W.
I'm a electrician and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
10 upvotes
Autumn Ortiz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 8 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
8 upvotes
Leah Turner
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 14 years. Moved from Tampa for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are hit or miss. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Limited high-paying job options. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
Roman Rogers
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
3 upvotes
Lauren A.
Used to live on the Greenfield side, now on the Sunset side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
3 upvotes
Henry
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 3 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
2 upvotes
Leo Clark
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely solid and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. job market 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.
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