Been meaning to ask this. I've been here for 5 years and Rent is about $1,803/month for a decent place. With a population of 18,172, North Druid Hills is a small town. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Should I be concerned? The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. The city has invested a lot in new development.
4 upvotes
13 Replies
Mackenzie Stewart
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The nightlife is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
38 upvotes
Bennett M.
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
35 upvotes
Clara L.
Bought a house here in 2021 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
35 upvotes
oakland_ezekiel
spot on
35 upvotes
Delilah Brooks
This.
32 upvotes
austin_vibes
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to New York it's improving.
30 upvotes
Carson Alvarez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 5 years. Moved from Minneapolis for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are challenging. 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 high-paying job options. Chain restaurants dominate. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Savannah Gutierrez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to New York it's average.
28 upvotes
Harper Cooper
I work in real estate here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is tough. No regrets on my end..
23 upvotes
Nova
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Meadowbrook area are underrated. Kids love it here.
18 upvotes
Jaxon
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 10 years. Moved from Portland for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is improving - we have ski resorts 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 better than expected. 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 high-paying job options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Mackenzie Lopez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 47, moved here 14 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Uptown and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited entertainment options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The food scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Phoenix, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K 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.
5 upvotes
Chloe Nelson
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much developing but now it's better than expected.
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