OK so I'm retired and Rent is about $1,508/month for a decent place. Poverty rate is 1.6%, which is pretty low. It's a a smaller city city with about 27,774 people. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Thanks in advance! The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
8 upvotes
27 Replies
Luke Green
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
31 upvotes
David Carter
yeah no that's not right
30 upvotes
Daniel Foster
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in South. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in finance. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
29 upvotes
Evelyn Davis
I've lived in Springfield for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Active local events and festivals
- The outdoor recreation scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
28 upvotes
Serenity R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 3 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
25 upvotes
Lucas R.
same here
24 upvotes
Rebecca M.
preach
23 upvotes
Mia Smith
as a local I can confirm
22 upvotes
Evelyn Reed
underrated comment
22 upvotes
Evan Sanchez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 7 years. Moved from Boston for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2021 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. finance 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 been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have national forests 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 decent. 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. Limited high-paying job options. Limited shopping options. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
Alice
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
20 upvotes
nyc_adrian
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The traffic is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
19 upvotes
Brielle Hill
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is cultural scene. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
18 upvotes
Genesis Lopez
nah I disagree
17 upvotes
Lucas Mendoza
haha yep pretty much
16 upvotes
Joseph J.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is solid in most areas.
16 upvotes
Lucas Price
I've lived in Eastside for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Dallas, 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
- Affordable housing options
- The housing market scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. No regrets on my end..
14 upvotes
denvergirl2022
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Phoenix it's surprisingly good.
12 upvotes
Henry Clark
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
10 upvotes
Naomi Mendoza
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is challenging in most areas.
7 upvotes
Clara Patel
Bought a house here in 2018 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
5 upvotes
Samuel
I've lived in South for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from LA, 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 public transit scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Definitely worth checking out..
3 upvotes
la_elizabeth
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Austin about 3 years ago. The main reasons were weather and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are wild, gas is decent.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
3 upvotes
Bennett
I've lived in Highland for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Affordable housing options
- The outdoor recreation scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. No regrets on my end..
2 upvotes
Aaron Moore
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
1 upvotes
Luna Garcia
Can confirm, been here 13 years.
1 upvotes
Leah Myers
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor recreation is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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