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Liam Taylor
living
Raising a family in Oakland Park -thoughts?
Hey folks, Would love some local perspective. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
15 upvotes
30 Replies
Aria G.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from LA about 13 years ago. The main reasons were weather and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are established, gas is pretty good.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Happy to answer more specific questions..
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from LA about 13 years ago. The main reasons were weather and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are established, gas is pretty good.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Happy to answer more specific questions..
39 upvotes
Noah Ross
Can confirm, been here 9 years.
39 upvotes
Austin Young
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Phoenix about 3 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good healthcare facilities
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are growing, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Phoenix about 3 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good healthcare facilities
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are growing, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
38 upvotes
Everly
same here
36 upvotes
Declan Gray
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
36 upvotes
Naomi
big facts right here
35 upvotes
Carol R.
accurate
34 upvotes
Piper N.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Lakewood. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in marketing. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Lakewood. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in marketing. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
32 upvotes
Ava Scott
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
31 upvotes
Everly Gray
I'm a electrician and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
30 upvotes
Adrian Miller
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
30 upvotes
Bella R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely tough and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely tough and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
29 upvotes
Madeline Robinson
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 stable but now it's excellent.
29 upvotes
Riley Lewis
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
26 upvotes
Isabella Jackson
lol so true
24 upvotes
Grayson C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 43, moved here 15 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in South and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally pretty good - 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 safety situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 43, moved here 15 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in South and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally pretty good - 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 safety situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
24 upvotes
Everett Campbell
+1
22 upvotes
Sadie Williams
Moved here from Salt Lake City about 6 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to community vibe but No regrets on my end..
21 upvotes
Mia Peterson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 25, moved here 14 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Uptown and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good airport with direct flights
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The cultural scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for retirees. surprisingly good 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K 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.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 25, moved here 14 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Uptown and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good airport with direct flights
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The cultural scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for retirees. surprisingly good 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K 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.
20 upvotes
Melanie White
yeah no that's not right
18 upvotes
Genesis Hill
hard disagree but ok
18 upvotes
Jack Cox
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Boston about 15 years ago. The main reasons were work and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good internet infrastructure
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are competitive, gas is average.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Happy to answer more specific questions..
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Boston about 15 years ago. The main reasons were work and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good internet infrastructure
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are competitive, gas is average.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Happy to answer more specific questions..
17 upvotes
Cora
nah I disagree
15 upvotes
Luke Gonzalez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 9 years ago. The main reasons were work and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited public transit options
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are established, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. No regrets on my end..
I'm a chef who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 9 years ago. The main reasons were work and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited public transit options
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are established, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. No regrets on my end..
15 upvotes
Kennedy E.
I'm a accountant and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
14 upvotes
Kai S.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is challenging in most areas.
10 upvotes
Olivia Mendoza
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
10 upvotes
Everett Lee
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
7 upvotes
Patrick R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 1 years. Moved from Tampa for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have desert landscapes 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 excellent. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Chain restaurants dominate. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Downtown for 1 years. Moved from Tampa for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have desert landscapes 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 excellent. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Chain restaurants dominate. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
Eleanor
100%
4 upvotes