The median home value here is around $215,100, which is actually reasonable. Crime rate is something to consider — Oklahoma City sits at 722.2 per 100K. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Does this match your experience? Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
14 upvotes
48 Replies
Scarlett Gomez
literally same
40 upvotes
Grayson Taylor
it depends on the neighborhood
40 upvotes
Jaxon Y.
I've lived in South for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The traffic scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
40 upvotes
Allison Wright
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Downtown area are challenging. Kids love it here.
38 upvotes
Alexa Phillips
Bought a house here in 2023 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
37 upvotes
Miles
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Westside) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
36 upvotes
Amelia Perez
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Greenfield area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
35 upvotes
Wyatt
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
34 upvotes
Santiago Cooper
same here
33 upvotes
Adam Jimenez
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Springfield area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
31 upvotes
Adeline Reyes
Can confirm, been here 11 years.
31 upvotes
Kayden Castillo
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 13 years. Moved from Austin for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is decent - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Lakewood schools are surprisingly 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. Urban sprawl is real. Far from beaches/mountains. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Robert Martinez
Bought a house here in 2018 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone about the same since then.
30 upvotes
Daniel Y.
I'm a marketing manager and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
27 upvotes
Riley R.
couldn't agree more
27 upvotes
Naomi Cook
Totally agree!
25 upvotes
Carson Collins
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from San Diego about 15 years ago. The main reasons were work and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are manageable, gas is tough.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
24 upvotes
Julian Reyes
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Maple Ridge. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
No regrets on my end..
24 upvotes
la_luna
good to know, thanks
23 upvotes
Maya Nguyen
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is cost of living. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
23 upvotes
Wesley Hall
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Cedar Grove. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in construction. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Definitely worth checking out..
22 upvotes
Mackenzie J.
facts
22 upvotes
Zoe M.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
19 upvotes
Eli Nguyen
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely challenging and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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
Levi Green
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Oak Park area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
19 upvotes
Cooper Gutierrez
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
18 upvotes
Hannah Roberts
yep
18 upvotes
Maverick Jimenez
Came here for cost of living and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The food scene is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
18 upvotes
Aria H.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 2 years. Moved from Portland for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is average - 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. Pine Hills 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Winters are long and cold. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Hazel P.
Saving this thread
17 upvotes
Leonardo
been saying this for years
16 upvotes
tampa_stella
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 31, moved here 9 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in South and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The safety situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Dallas, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$90K 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.
16 upvotes
David B.
yep
15 upvotes
Hailey A.
this is the way
14 upvotes
Christian Phillips
hmm interesting perspective
10 upvotes
Eli Hill
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 37, moved here 10 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in West and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The public transit situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for remote workers. decent vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Chicago, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
10 upvotes
Andrew M.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
9 upvotes
Jesse H.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 13 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good internet infrastructure
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are wild, gas is underrated.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Hope this helps!.
9 upvotes
Scott M.
nah I disagree
9 upvotes
Peyton King
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely decent and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Dating scene 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.
8 upvotes
Gabriella W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 43, moved here 2 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Old Town and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Strong sense of community
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. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The traffic situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for remote workers. decent vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $90K-$80K 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.
8 upvotes
Jeremiah Gonzalez
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is cost of living. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
8 upvotes
mesa_sebastian
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
7 upvotes
Olivia P.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
7 upvotes
Alice Gonzalez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 15 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
5 upvotes
Lillian C.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
4 upvotes
Luca Allen
I'm a data analyst and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
All Countries
