Hey folks, I'm retired and The unemployment rate is 4.3%, which is about average. It's a a small town city with about 19,442 people. Poverty rate is 14.8%, which is around average. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. What neighborhoods would you suggest? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
13 upvotes
15 Replies
Jaxon Y.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 44, moved here 14 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Fairview, 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. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Property taxes are high
3. The traffic situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for retirees. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Seattle, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
40 upvotes
Colton D.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 8 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
35 upvotes
Kennedy Perez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
31 upvotes
Bruce J.
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
31 upvotes
Karen C.
honestly same experience here
28 upvotes
Emilia Allen
thanks for sharing
28 upvotes
Xavier Flores
couldn't agree more
22 upvotes
Andrew Murphy
wish I knew this sooner
19 upvotes
Karen M.
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great craft beer places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
18 upvotes
Weston Reed
Came here for school and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The cost of living is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
11 upvotes
Adam Ward
Bought a house here in 2020 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
10 upvotes
Audrey Ortiz
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Lakewood area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
10 upvotes
Lydia Ramos
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The pet-friendliness is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
4 upvotes
Donna G.
haha yep pretty much
2 upvotes
Waylon H.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Hope this helps!.
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