Been meaning to ask this. Rent is about $1,396/month for a decent place. Homes are going for about $344,300 on average. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
12 upvotes
14 Replies
Clara A.
I'm a social worker and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
40 upvotes
Arianna Williams
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 50, moved here 6 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Fairview and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The food scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for singles. underrated 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 Charlotte, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K 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.
39 upvotes
Hannah Lopez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is underrated in most areas.
39 upvotes
Maya Anderson
Bought a house here in 2017 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
37 upvotes
Willow Nguyen
following this thread
34 upvotes
Santiago Johnson
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is dating scene. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
31 upvotes
Violet R.
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Westside area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
28 upvotes
Joshua Patel
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Lakewood area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
10 upvotes
Noah W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from LA about 5 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Four distinct seasons
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is decent.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Definitely worth checking out..
9 upvotes
Maverick
hmm interesting perspective
8 upvotes
indykid2024
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 4 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
6 upvotes
Owen Morris
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 5 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
6 upvotes
Eliana Carter
I'm a teacher and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
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