Hey folks, I'm retired and Homes are going for about $199,200 on average. You can expect to pay around $720 for rent here. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Thoughts? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Property taxes are high but you get good services. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
2 upvotes
14 Replies
Sebastian Gray
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 49, moved here 12 years ago from New York. I've lived in Lakewood and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The walkability situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for young professionals. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 New York, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K 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.
38 upvotes
Scarlett Cooper
as a local I can confirm
31 upvotes
Hailey
I've lived in North for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by public transit. 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 safety scene is decent
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
30 upvotes
Nolan M.
accurate
25 upvotes
Noah Ramirez
100%
25 upvotes
Lillian C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 33, moved here 3 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Springfield and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Diverse dining options
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. Limited shopping options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The dating scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for families. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Miami, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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
Brooks D.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
19 upvotes
Jean P.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Downtown. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
18 upvotes
Gianna Brooks
Used to live on the Westside side, now on the Meadowbrook side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
13 upvotes
Naomi Hernandez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 7 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
13 upvotes
Jackson L.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 38, moved here 5 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in West and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The traffic situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for families. underrated vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Diego, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $90K-$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.
12 upvotes
Vivian Thomas
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Old Town area are solid. Kids love it here.
11 upvotes
audrey_local
been saying this for years
1 upvotes
Reagan M.
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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