I grew up here but left for a while. The unemployment rate is 2.3%, which is pretty low. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
4 upvotes
21 Replies
sd_austin
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
40 upvotes
indy_peyton
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 11 years. Moved from Baltimore for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2018 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are average. 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. Can feel isolated. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Wyatt Young
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 3 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
37 upvotes
real_hailey24
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Nashville about 6 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are stable, gas is excellent.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. No regrets on my end..
33 upvotes
greyson_life
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to Portland it's pretty good.
31 upvotes
Silas Lewis
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
31 upvotes
Daniel G.
I've lived in Midtown for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The weather scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Happy to answer more specific questions..
27 upvotes
Joyce J.
This.
25 upvotes
Cora Jimenez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if cultural scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
23 upvotes
William Bennett
I've lived in The Heights for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Strong job market in several industries
- The community vibe scene is average
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Feel free to reach out with questions..
20 upvotes
Aria Nguyen
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely improving and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (South) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Dating scene is rough.
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.
19 upvotes
Gianna Cruz
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely excellent and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (South) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. safety 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.
17 upvotes
Joyce R.
This.
17 upvotes
Jonathan
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 15 years. Moved from Dallas for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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 tough. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Chain restaurants dominate. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
William
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 6 years. Moved from Portland for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are solid. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Limited entertainment options. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
John Garcia
100%
9 upvotes
Roman P.
Moved here from Minneapolis about 3 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to safety but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
3 upvotes
Jack Anderson
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Atlanta it's improving.
3 upvotes
Madelyn Edwards
nah I disagree
2 upvotes
Isaiah Johnson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 14 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
1 upvotes
Silas Nelson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 11 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
All Countries
