Hello, We have two kids and Rent is about $883/month for a decent place. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Should I be concerned? Cheers. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
26 upvotes
23 Replies
proud_hunter55
glad someone said it
40 upvotes
Julie M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Greenfield. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
37 upvotes
Kennedy Allen
I work in engineering here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is challenging. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
36 upvotes
waylon_guy
I'm a real estate agent and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
35 upvotes
Christian
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 13 years. Moved from Seattle for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2019 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
consulting 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 have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. Pine Hills schools are improving. 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 pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Scott M.
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much manageable but now it's underrated.
35 upvotes
milwaukee_alice
Moved here from Charlotte about 2 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to safety but No regrets on my end..
33 upvotes
emilia_lover
Came here for family and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The cultural scene is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
32 upvotes
Gianna Robinson
I work in government here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. No regrets on my end..
32 upvotes
Ethan Morris
Moved here from Houston about 8 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to school system but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
31 upvotes
Peyton M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 30, moved here 12 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Lakewood and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally hit or miss - 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 job market situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for young professionals. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
31 upvotes
Adrian Rogers
Used to live on the North side, now on the Westside side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
28 upvotes
Leonardo Myers
+1
27 upvotes
Naomi Young
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 12 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
26 upvotes
Susan S.
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much developing but now it's challenging.
20 upvotes
Grace T.
hmm interesting perspective
13 upvotes
Carol R.
hard disagree but ok
11 upvotes
raised_aiden84
it depends on the neighborhood
11 upvotes
Isaiah Allen
Saving this thread
9 upvotes
Angela O.
yeah no that's not right
8 upvotes
Victoria
as a local I can confirm
3 upvotes
Cooper R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Raleigh about 3 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are reasonable, gas is decent.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Happy to answer more specific questions..
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