Been meaning to ask this. My family moved here when I was a kid. Crime rate is something to consider -Montpelier sits at 148.9 per 100K. Median household income is $79,175, which feels about average for the area. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Worth the trade-offs? Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
7 upvotes
12 Replies
Jameson C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 41, moved here 2 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Oak Park and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Limited shopping options
3. The housing market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for singles. tough vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Charlotte, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
40 upvotes
Luke Price
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
40 upvotes
David Cooper
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 40, moved here 13 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in East and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The safety situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for retirees. tough vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Dallas, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
29 upvotes
Ezra Watson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 13 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Close to major attractions
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited public transit options
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are growing, gas is underrated.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
28 upvotes
nyc_william
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 3 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
22 upvotes
Parker Mendoza
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 13 years. Moved from Minneapolis for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2016 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. marketing 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills 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. Homeless population growing downtown. Limited entertainment options. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Sebastian Adams
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 46, moved here 15 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Greenfield and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The walkability situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 San Francisco, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
21 upvotes
Leah Cooper
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Maple Ridge. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in tech. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Hope this helps!.
17 upvotes
Kinsley Ramirez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is average in most areas.
17 upvotes
Grace Bailey
not my experience at all
13 upvotes
Bryan F.
this is the way
6 upvotes
Logan C.
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
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