Anyone else feel this way? We have two kids and The unemployment rate is 4.0%, which is pretty low. Let me know your thoughts. Any help is appreciated.
12 upvotes
24 Replies
Anna W.
I've lived in The Heights for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The safety scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. No regrets on my end..
40 upvotes
Joseph Garcia
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely excellent and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Fairview) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
38 upvotes
Matthew P.
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Fairview area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
37 upvotes
Roman Reyes
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is public transit. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
37 upvotes
Maya Morris
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
34 upvotes
Caroline Rodriguez
exactly what I was thinking
34 upvotes
Angel Sanders
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
24 upvotes
minneapolisvibes2024
I've lived in Lakewood for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good internet infrastructure
- The nightlife scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
22 upvotes
William J.
Used to live on the Old Town side, now on the North side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
20 upvotes
Theodore Harris
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 14 years. Moved from Houston for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. hospitality 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have state parks 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. Urban sprawl is real. Limited entertainment options. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Austin Young
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 9 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are competitive, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Hope this helps!.
16 upvotes
sunny_kai63
underrated comment
15 upvotes
Isabelle Davis
glad someone said it
14 upvotes
Connor H.
Totally agree!
13 upvotes
Joseph T.
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Mexican places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
13 upvotes
Waylon Thomas
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 1 years. Moved from Boston for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2018 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is solid - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are improving. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Road conditions need improvement. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Melanie Sanders
underrated comment
10 upvotes
Eliana Turner
Came here for retirement and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The pet-friendliness is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
9 upvotes
Luna
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 48, moved here 2 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in North and Riverside, 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 airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The healthcare situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for retirees. improving vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Phoenix, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
9 upvotes
Walter M.
glad someone said it
8 upvotes
Elizabeth James
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much manageable but now it's tough.
7 upvotes
Jeremiah
bump
3 upvotes
Jose
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit 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.
1 upvotes
Judy P.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Phoenix about 8 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are competitive, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Happy to answer more specific questions..
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