Not sure if this has been asked before, but Poverty rate is 13.1%, which is around average. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. What neighborhoods would you suggest?
28 upvotes
24 Replies
Reagan M.
haha yep pretty much
38 upvotes
Nicholas James
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
37 upvotes
Aurora Nelson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
33 upvotes
Kaylee R.
as a local I can confirm
31 upvotes
Kayden Gutierrez
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Vietnamese places. I love the pace of life here.
31 upvotes
real_jonathan52
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
25 upvotes
Parker
interesting, hadn't considered that
24 upvotes
Josiah Williams
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is dating scene. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
20 upvotes
Helen B.
noted, appreciate it
19 upvotes
Kaylee Sanders
Moved here from Houston about 14 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to healthcare but Happy to answer more specific questions..
18 upvotes
Mackenzie Phillips
been saying this for years
18 upvotes
Aaliyah Watson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Nashville about 13 years ago. The main reasons were weather and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Lots of new development happening
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are developing, gas is decent.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
17 upvotes
Joseph C.
hmm interesting perspective
16 upvotes
Eli Nguyen
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 55, moved here 15 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Riverside and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The community vibe situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for remote workers. solid vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$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.
16 upvotes
Victoria Howard
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 7 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
14 upvotes
Hailey Jones
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 11 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
14 upvotes
Emilia J.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 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 2-bed in Old Town. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in retail. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
9 upvotes
Aaliyah W.
spot on
9 upvotes
Parker Martinez
this is the way
7 upvotes
Zoey Parker
100%
7 upvotes
Sophie Kim
great question, following
6 upvotes
Valentina Watson
spot on
5 upvotes
Weston Reed
Used to live on the North side, now on the South side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
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