So, I relocated for work and The unemployment rate is 2.6%, which is pretty low. Homes are going for about $276,900 on average. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Does this match your experience? The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
15 upvotes
13 Replies
Isabella E.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Boston about 8 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good internet infrastructure
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are wild, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Happy to answer more specific questions..
40 upvotes
Noah Kelly
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. No regrets on my end..
38 upvotes
Luna W.
I work in real estate here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is excellent. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
36 upvotes
Leo D.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 58, moved here 5 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Pine Hills and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Close to major attractions
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The food scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good 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 Tampa, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K 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.
33 upvotes
Christian Jimenez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Denver it's excellent.
32 upvotes
Victoria Green
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much pricey but now it's underrated.
29 upvotes
Christine D.
thanks for sharing
25 upvotes
Scarlett Hughes
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
22 upvotes
Lucas
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 40, moved here 12 years ago from Denver. I've lived in West and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The nightlife situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
20 upvotes
Camila Wood
literally same
16 upvotes
mia_local
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much wild but now it's hit or miss.
16 upvotes
Bradley R.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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