Median household income is $96,116, which feels pretty solid for the area. With a population of 7,263, Makawao is a small town. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Let me know your thoughts. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
4 upvotes
13 Replies
Jose R.
couldn't agree more
33 upvotes
Waylon Allen
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 38, moved here 6 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Eastside, 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. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The cost of living situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for retirees. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Miami, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
28 upvotes
Charlotte Cook
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 53, moved here 4 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Pine Hills and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The nightlife situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for couples. decent vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Portland, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K 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.
22 upvotes
Jace Ward
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 31, moved here 3 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Oak Park and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The housing market situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for retirees. tough vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Denver, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K 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.
17 upvotes
Josiah Price
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Atlanta it's decent.
14 upvotes
Carter Ross
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Greenfield. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
13 upvotes
Vivian Kelly
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in The Heights. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in legal. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
9 upvotes
Ronald S.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Pine Hills. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in real estate. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Asian.
No regrets on my end..
9 upvotes
angel_local
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Westside) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. school system 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.
8 upvotes
Dominic
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 3 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
7 upvotes
Everett Morris
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Houston about 4 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Close to major attractions
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are established, gas is tough.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Definitely worth checking out..
5 upvotes
Isaiah
I've lived in Greenfield for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
- The community vibe scene is average
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
4 upvotes
Ava Baker
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 12 years. Moved from Austin for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. education 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is tough - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Lakewood schools are better than expected. 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. Nightlife is limited. Limited high-paying job options. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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