Hey everyone, My family moved here when I was a kid. It's a a small town city with about 6,904 people. Average temperature is around 53--F, so expect cold winters. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Let me know your thoughts. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
11 upvotes
13 Replies
anna_walker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 30, moved here 9 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in North and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Decent public transit for the size
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. Urban sprawl is real
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The outdoor recreation situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for singles. tough vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Charlotte, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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
Joseph Cruz
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great sushi places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
34 upvotes
Isaiah Parker
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
32 upvotes
Addison Martinez
following this thread
27 upvotes
evelyn_papa
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
26 upvotes
Gianna Robinson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Sunset) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
26 upvotes
Cora Perez
noted, appreciate it
22 upvotes
Audrey Brooks
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
21 upvotes
Alexander
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much growing but now it's decent.
21 upvotes
Hudson Miller
bump
16 upvotes
Jaxon Ramirez
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. weather used to be much affordable but now it's excellent.
12 upvotes
bennett_fan
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
11 upvotes
Dennis B.
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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