Hey folks, I'm a college student here and Homes are going for about $305,100 on average. It's a a smaller city city with about 92,697 people. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Any advice would be great.
9 upvotes
11 Replies
Sofia
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 15 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's wild 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 surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
37 upvotes
Anna Perez
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much affordable but now it's better than expected.
35 upvotes
Xavier
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely underrated and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Fairview) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
33 upvotes
Jameson Smith
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.
33 upvotes
Olivia Garcia
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 49, moved here 13 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in South and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The dating scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for young professionals. tough vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
28 upvotes
Adrian Rogers
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to LA it's excellent.
24 upvotes
Samuel Ross
+1
23 upvotes
John Walker
hard disagree but ok
21 upvotes
Adeline
Bought a house here in 2020 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
5 upvotes
Asher Clark
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely average and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Springfield) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
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