Alright, I'm a 48-year-old sales rep and It's a a small town city with about 1,728 people. Crime rate is something to consider -Osburn sits at 64.6 per 100K. You can expect to pay around $794 for rent here. Homes are going for about $182,800 on average. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Should I be concerned? Thanks in advance! The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
6 upvotes
14 Replies
Piper H.
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Mexican places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
37 upvotes
Nevaeh Watson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 6 years. Moved from Nashville for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is solid - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are decent. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Limited shopping options. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Landon W.
same here
31 upvotes
Sophie Taylor
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great Mexican places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
31 upvotes
Sarah M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 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 North. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in engineering. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
31 upvotes
David T.
100%
26 upvotes
Miles Jimenez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 3 years. Moved from Dallas for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2021 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. retail 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 lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook schools are underrated. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Limited entertainment options. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Melanie Collins
bump
21 upvotes
Emmett Morris
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is challenging in most areas.
17 upvotes
Genesis Howard
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 33, moved here 4 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in North and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The food scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for families. challenging vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K 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.
11 upvotes
Katherine M.
I've lived in Lakewood for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Active local events and festivals
- The walkability scene is improving
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. Good luck with whatever you decide..
6 upvotes
Hailey Thomas
Moved here from San Francisco about 6 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to job market but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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