Hello, Military spouse here. The unemployment rate is 4.1%, which is about average. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Anyone in a similar situation? It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
10 upvotes
7 Replies
Ryan Morales
I'm a data analyst and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
33 upvotes
Madeline Miller
Bought a house here in 2015 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
12 upvotes
Wesley Gray
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 2 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. 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 fishing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
12 upvotes
Jace Alvarez
hmm interesting perspective
11 upvotes
Evan Hughes
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 29, moved here 15 years ago from New York. I've lived in Midtown and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The school system situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for singles. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 New York, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
6 upvotes
Elijah Jimenez
interesting, hadn't considered that
2 upvotes
jayden_vibes
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Vietnamese places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
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