Curious what people think. It's a a smaller city city with about 27,456 people. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Would love some local perspective. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development.
20 upvotes
15 Replies
Kayden Bennett
lol so true
35 upvotes
Jayden Richardson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
33 upvotes
Jack Kim
haha yep pretty much
32 upvotes
Gabriella W.
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The cultural scene is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
29 upvotes
Anthony M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 55, moved here 9 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Sunset and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The cultural scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
28 upvotes
Cheryl T.
I've lived in Old Town for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good internet infrastructure
- The community vibe scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Limited entertainment options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Happy to answer more specific questions..
22 upvotes
portland_nova
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
22 upvotes
Henry
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is community vibe. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
21 upvotes
Kayden Nelson
I've lived in Uptown for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
- The school system scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. Feel free to reach out with questions..
15 upvotes
Wayne J.
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
14 upvotes
Bennett Chavez
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
13 upvotes
Wesley Peterson
I've lived in Lakewood for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The nightlife scene is solid
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
12 upvotes
stlmama2024
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 8 years. Moved from Austin for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. Old Town 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. Winters are long and cold. Limited high-paying job options. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Adrian J.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Portland it's solid.
6 upvotes
Benjamin
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely better than expected and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (East) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
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