Curious what people think. Been living here since 2010. Homes are going for about $399,100 on average. You can expect to pay around $1,696 for rent here. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
12 upvotes
27 Replies
Claire Morris
accurate
40 upvotes
Carter Foster
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 10 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
39 upvotes
Jacob Lewis
accurate
37 upvotes
Santiago Morris
spot on
29 upvotes
Carson Morgan
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Italian places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
26 upvotes
Nevaeh R.
good to know, thanks
25 upvotes
Samuel M.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
25 upvotes
Aria Morales
The food scene here is average. Tons of great Southern places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
24 upvotes
Kennedy W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Springfield. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in real estate. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Hope this helps!.
21 upvotes
Leah Myers
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (North) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
21 upvotes
milwaukeeguy2025
good to know, thanks
20 upvotes
Willow Gomez
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
20 upvotes
Jeremiah R.
I've lived in Midtown for about 4 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 Boston, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Close to major attractions
- The pet-friendliness scene is improving
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
18 upvotes
Avery Garcia
Bought a house here in 2015 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone about the same since then.
17 upvotes
Lydia Patel
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The pet-friendliness is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
16 upvotes
Jacob
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 9 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
16 upvotes
Theodore Rivera
Used to live on the Lakewood side, now on the North side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
15 upvotes
Nova King
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
11 upvotes
Leo P.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 6 years. Moved from Raleigh for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2021 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. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset schools are pretty good. 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 shopping options. Far from beaches/mountains. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Cora Nelson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 49, moved here 2 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in North and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited entertainment options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The housing market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for couples. decent vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 San Diego, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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
Gloria M.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
8 upvotes
Stella T.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 13 years. Moved from Raleigh for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
marketing is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is tough - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Greenfield 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. Urban sprawl is real. Limited high-paying job options. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Violet Cook
Moved here from Minneapolis about 14 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to public transit but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
5 upvotes
Adeline Cruz
hard disagree but ok
5 upvotes
Aaron R.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
3 upvotes
sd_leo
following this thread
2 upvotes
Gabriella
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 32, moved here 12 years ago from Miami. I've lived in East and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The outdoor recreation situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for retirees. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Miami, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is established. 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.
All Countries
