First post here. I grew up here but left for a while. Homes are going for about $606,900 on average. You can expect to pay around $2,330 for rent here. Rent is about $2,330/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 4.4%, which is about average. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Thoughts? The weather takes some getting used to. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
54 upvotes
8 Replies
Judith M.
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in The Heights area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
36 upvotes
Evan Clark
underrated comment
32 upvotes
Autumn Sanchez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in South. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
18 upvotes
Caroline Young
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great BBQ places. it was the best decision I ever made.
16 upvotes
Alexander Long
+1
15 upvotes
Elizabeth Robinson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely average and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
15 upvotes
Jean C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 2 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
7 upvotes
Easton Reyes
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if traffic matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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