Hey everyone, Poverty rate is 11.6%, which is around average. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Has anyone dealt with this? Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The city has invested a lot in new development.
37 upvotes
23 Replies
Thomas R.
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.
39 upvotes
Lucy Morris
facts
38 upvotes
Nevaeh Mitchell
same here
37 upvotes
Gabriel
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
36 upvotes
Kaylee G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Lakewood. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
34 upvotes
Lily G.
Totally agree!
31 upvotes
Lydia Sanchez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Austin about 7 years ago. The main reasons were school and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is average.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Hope this helps!.
26 upvotes
Leah G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 31, moved here 10 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in East and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The food scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K 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.
24 upvotes
Jackson Wilson
Came here for family and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The housing market is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
21 upvotes
Audrey C.
as a local I can confirm
19 upvotes
Autumn Cox
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
18 upvotes
Willow Castillo
Bought a house here in 2022 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
17 upvotes
Aurora Ruiz
big facts right here
15 upvotes
Emily Clark
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 46, moved here 2 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The cost of living situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for couples. surprisingly good 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 Houston, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K 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.
15 upvotes
Raymond M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Miami 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 Sunset. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in government. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Definitely worth checking out..
12 upvotes
Oliver R.
underrated comment
10 upvotes
Mateo B.
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Downtown area are improving. Kids love it here.
8 upvotes
Valentina Hill
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
7 upvotes
Leonardo Hill
I work in retail here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is better than expected. Good luck with whatever you decide..
6 upvotes
Wyatt
following this thread
5 upvotes
Nicholas
glad someone said it
4 upvotes
Easton N.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 1 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
4 upvotes
Ian Wilson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 1 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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