Hey everyone, Military spouse here. Household incomes average around $5
1 upvotes
25 Replies
Lillian Ramirez
literally same
37 upvotes
Isabelle Brown
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The dating scene is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
37 upvotes
Josiah R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely better than expected and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
36 upvotes
Angel Patel
exactly what I was thinking
35 upvotes
Avery R.
Bought a house here in 2020 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
32 upvotes
Lucy King
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 job market is genuinely improving and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
32 upvotes
Madelyn Ramos
Came here for cost of living and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The cultural scene is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
32 upvotes
Emilia Turner
Came here for weather and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The pet-friendliness is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
31 upvotes
Xavier Reed
I work in real estate here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is pretty good. Definitely worth checking out..
27 upvotes
tampachef2025
thanks for sharing
26 upvotes
la_lillian
This.
25 upvotes
John Adams
good to know, thanks
22 upvotes
Liam
underrated comment
22 upvotes
Aurora Brown
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 10 years. Moved from New York for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is average - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are excellent. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Homeless population growing downtown. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
17 upvotes
Lily
exactly what I was thinking
16 upvotes
Parker Mendoza
lol so true
16 upvotes
Aurora Nelson
This.
14 upvotes
Elena Gonzalez
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
12 upvotes
Aurora Hughes
I've lived in Lakewood for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Strong job market in several industries
- The walkability scene is average
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Definitely worth checking out..
9 upvotes
Gabriel Ortiz
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 6 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are competitive, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
7 upvotes
Melanie P.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
3 upvotes
Ryan Bennett
wish I knew this sooner
2 upvotes
Lillian Wright
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Sunset. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
2 upvotes
John Cooper
accurate
1 upvotes
Natalie Moore
I'm a social worker and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.