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Delilah H.
best-worst
Things that make New Berlin unique
Hey folks, The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. What do you all think?
17 upvotes
13 Replies
Mason Roberts
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 52, moved here 4 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Riverside and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Property taxes are high
3. The community vibe situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for retirees. solid vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Boston, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$130K 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.
Background: I'm a teacher, 52, moved here 4 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Riverside and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Property taxes are high
3. The community vibe situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for retirees. solid vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Boston, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$130K 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.
39 upvotes
Thomas L.
honestly same experience here
37 upvotes
Ian Wilson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 1 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
I've been here 1 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
36 upvotes
Violet Brooks
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 7 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
I've been here 7 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
35 upvotes
lake_luca50
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 8 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
I've been here 8 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
32 upvotes
Stella Anderson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Baltimore about 2 years ago. The main reasons were family and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are manageable, gas is excellent.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Definitely worth checking out..
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Baltimore about 2 years ago. The main reasons were family and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are manageable, gas is excellent.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Definitely worth checking out..
31 upvotes
real_liam44
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Old Town. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in real estate. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Hope this helps!.
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Old Town. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in real estate. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Hope this helps!.
24 upvotes
Sarah W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 9 years. Moved from Minneapolis for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. finance 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is average - 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Chain restaurants dominate. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Lakewood for 9 years. Moved from Minneapolis for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. finance 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is average - 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Chain restaurants dominate. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Brooks Y.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Old Town) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Old Town) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
19 upvotes
Julian Cook
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The school system is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
13 upvotes
Robert Lopez
preach
7 upvotes
Catherine C.
as a local I can confirm
3 upvotes
Carson B.
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Indian places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
0 upvotes