OK so I grew up here but left for a while. Average temperature is around 68--F, so the weather is moderate. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Would love some local perspective.
6 upvotes
10 Replies
Piper E.
haha yep pretty much
33 upvotes
Lydia Torres
wish I knew this sooner
30 upvotes
Michael Sanders
lol so true
18 upvotes
Sarah Myers
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Downtown. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in construction. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
18 upvotes
Alexa
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 26, moved here 13 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Lakewood and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The job market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for retirees. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Boston, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$90K 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.
18 upvotes
denver_dylan
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
11 upvotes
Asher Torres
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The food scene is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
6 upvotes
Jayden Campbell
thanks for sharing
2 upvotes
Lucy Roberts
as a local I can confirm
2 upvotes
Mason
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The pet-friendliness is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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