Hey everyone, Been living here since 2014. Rent is about $888/month for a decent place. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Any advice would be great. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The city has invested a lot in new development.
16 upvotes
16 Replies
emma_guy
Moved here from New York about 8 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to dating scene but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
40 upvotes
Thomas Cook
I'm a real estate agent and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
40 upvotes
Sebastian W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 13 years. Moved from Charlotte for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
tech 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. The Heights 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. Limited public transit options. Not very walkable outside downtown. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
39 upvotes
Nora Phillips
as a local I can confirm
37 upvotes
living_josiah71
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
36 upvotes
Jameson Nelson
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Feel free to reach out with questions..
34 upvotes
Kai Miller
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 14 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
29 upvotes
Aaliyah C.
I've lived in Downtown for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The housing market scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Definitely worth checking out..
26 upvotes
Carson W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Fairview. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in construction. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Korean.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
24 upvotes
Leah Mendoza
I work in manufacturing here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Good luck with whatever you decide..
18 upvotes
chill_colton4
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The public transit is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
18 upvotes
Aria Robinson
same here
15 upvotes
Leo Murphy
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 2 years. Moved from Minneapolis for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**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:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is average - 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 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Bugs and humidity in summer. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Sofia Bennett
Came here for school and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor recreation is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
12 upvotes
Quinn Morales
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in West. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in consulting. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
6 upvotes
Emilia Bennett
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
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