Longtime lurker here, We have two kids and Crime rate is something to consider -Newfield sits at 277.8 per 100K. Average temperature is around 45--F, so expect cold winters. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Any advice would be great. Any help is appreciated. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
2 upvotes
15 Replies
fresnolocal2023
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 32, moved here 8 years ago from LA. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Property taxes are high
3. The cultural scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for remote workers. excellent 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 LA, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
36 upvotes
Quinn Anderson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (North) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
33 upvotes
Henry Young
I'm a lawyer and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
33 upvotes
Colton T.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Good luck with whatever you decide..
32 upvotes
Nolan Martinez
This.
31 upvotes
Easton Wood
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
29 upvotes
la_natalie
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 15 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
22 upvotes
Ryan Harris
lol so true
19 upvotes
Austin Ramirez
honestly same experience here
15 upvotes
Arthur G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 28, moved here 7 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Uptown and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for retirees. decent vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Baltimore, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K 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.
9 upvotes
Sadie
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Atlanta about 9 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good internet infrastructure
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are manageable, gas is underrated.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Hope this helps!.
9 upvotes
Isaac Jimenez
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Lakewood area are average. Kids love it here.
7 upvotes
Amelia C.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if cultural scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
4 upvotes
Stella W.
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
3 upvotes
Jameson Reed
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much wild but now it's underrated.
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