Not sure if this has been asked before, but We're a young couple and Homes are going for about $580,900 on average. The city has invested a lot in new development. Am I wrong here?
13 upvotes
28 Replies
Reagan C.
underrated comment
40 upvotes
Lydia Murphy
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 40, moved here 8 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Lakewood and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The outdoor recreation situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for remote workers. decent 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 Dallas, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K 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.
39 upvotes
Ella H.
Moved here from Dallas about 1 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to job market but Good luck with whatever you decide..
37 upvotes
Silas Walker
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The traffic is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
33 upvotes
Gianna Rogers
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in East. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in education. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Southern.
No regrets on my end..
30 upvotes
Elijah Jackson
Used to live on the West side, now on the East side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
30 upvotes
Kyle M.
facts
30 upvotes
Brielle H.
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is public transit. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
29 upvotes
Landon Howard
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Pine Hills. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in construction. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
25 upvotes
Ava Walker
Bought a house here in 2018 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
24 upvotes
Rylee P.
I'm a accountant and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is average and there's always something going on.
24 upvotes
Ariana Jimenez
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is community vibe. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
17 upvotes
Jackson Mitchell
hmm interesting perspective
15 upvotes
Caroline G.
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 9 years. Moved from Seattle for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is decent - we have state parks 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 average. 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 shopping options. Limited entertainment options. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Alice O.
accurate
12 upvotes
Lydia Jimenez
preach
10 upvotes
Sophia Rogers
Used to live on the East side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
10 upvotes
Eleanor M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 34, moved here 13 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Springfield and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The cost of living situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for couples. decent 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 Miami, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
10 upvotes
Robert Gonzalez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
8 upvotes
Miles Campbell
noted, appreciate it
7 upvotes
raleighnative2024
glad someone said it
6 upvotes
Declan Garcia
couldn't agree more
6 upvotes
Connor Richardson
same here
6 upvotes
Madeline
This.
5 upvotes
Lucy Alvarez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 7 years. Moved from Denver for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. construction 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 genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have state parks 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 surprisingly good. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Hannah Bailey
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Maple Ridge. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
4 upvotes
Waylon Williams
This.
1 upvotes
Ezekiel A.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is excellent in most areas.
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