Been meaning to ask this. I'm a college student here and The median home value here is around $365,100, which seems about average. Poverty rate is 5.8%, which is pretty low. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
33 upvotes
21 Replies
Melanie Richardson
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much reasonable but now it's challenging.
40 upvotes
Mason Lewis
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Minneapolis about 10 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good internet infrastructure
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are manageable, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
39 upvotes
Bennett Johnson
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The public transit is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
38 upvotes
local_easton22
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 2 years. Moved from LA for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. education 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 underrated - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East 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. Limited public transit options. Not very walkable outside downtown. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
austin_noah
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
35 upvotes
Rylee M.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely excellent and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (East) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
34 upvotes
Ethan Sanders
couldn't agree more
32 upvotes
Isaiah P.
couldn't agree more
32 upvotes
Hannah Allen
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
29 upvotes
Maria R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 53, moved here 4 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Fairview and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Strong sense of community
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. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Can feel isolated
3. The safety situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Raleigh, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$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.
25 upvotes
Isaac Phillips
Used to live on the East side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
24 upvotes
Cora Jimenez
preach
23 upvotes
Emma
accurate
19 upvotes
Hannah Torres
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is dating scene. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
14 upvotes
Valentina King
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 35, moved here 7 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good schools in most areas
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The housing market situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for remote workers. hit or miss 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 Portland, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$100K 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.
9 upvotes
Joseph A.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Fairview) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
5 upvotes
Amber A.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely decent and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
3 upvotes
Carson H.
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
3 upvotes
Eli James
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in West area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
3 upvotes
Ethan Long
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 13 years. Moved from LA for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2023 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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 hit or miss. 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. Urban sprawl is real. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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