Anyone else feel this way? Average temperature is around 62--F, so the weather is moderate. Crime rate is something to consider -Lodi sits at 350.5 per 100K. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Let me know your thoughts.
21 upvotes
14 Replies
Axel Evans
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 55, moved here 11 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Midtown and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cost of living situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for young professionals. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Charlotte, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
39 upvotes
Reagan Rivera
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 14 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
38 upvotes
Amelia Gomez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
32 upvotes
Julian Martin
great question, following
26 upvotes
Allison P.
facts
24 upvotes
Naomi
I'm a data analyst and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
20 upvotes
Axel D.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Pine Hills. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in marketing. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
19 upvotes
Evan Roberts
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great sushi places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
18 upvotes
Bennett Wright
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Maple Ridge area are improving. Kids love it here.
17 upvotes
Emily Martinez
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much established but now it's tough.
14 upvotes
jace_mind
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
13 upvotes
Gianna C.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Feel free to reach out with questions..
12 upvotes
Jeffrey R.
underrated comment
5 upvotes
Dylan Anderson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 39, moved here 10 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Eastside and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The housing market situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K 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.
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