I'm originally from Los Angeles and Homes are going for about $309,300 on average. You can expect to pay around $1,852 for rent here. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to.
26 upvotes
7 Replies
Anna Ross
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
40 upvotes
Kinsley
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 27, moved here 13 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Springfield and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The healthcare situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for young professionals. excellent 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 Tampa, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
39 upvotes
Joyce F.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 57, moved here 3 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Springfield and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The job market situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for singles. decent 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 Phoenix, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
21 upvotes
Daniel Davis
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Eastside) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Homeless population growing 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.
19 upvotes
Quinn Castillo
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Eastside. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in finance. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
15 upvotes
Lucas Miller
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 8 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
14 upvotes
Audrey Baker
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The community vibe scene is improving
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. Hope this helps!.
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