So, I work in construction and With a population of 80,131, Parma is a smaller city. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Does this match your experience? Property taxes are high but you get good services. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
30 upvotes
27 Replies
Kai R.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is community vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
38 upvotes
Claire Flores
Bought a house here in 2021 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
37 upvotes
Cooper Martin
haha yep pretty much
36 upvotes
Cooper
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
35 upvotes
Kai Moore
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
32 upvotes
Katherine Davis
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 29, moved here 7 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Lakewood and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Can feel isolated
3. The weather situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for remote workers. average 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 Atlanta, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$70K 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.
32 upvotes
austinrunner2020
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great Asian places. it's been a really good experience overall.
30 upvotes
Nova Lewis
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Old Town area are underrated. Kids love it here.
27 upvotes
Chloe Robinson
I work in construction here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is tough. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
27 upvotes
Autumn W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 35, moved here 2 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in North and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Close to major attractions
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited shopping options
3. The job market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for retirees. average 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 Seattle, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K 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.
22 upvotes
Riley Ortiz
+1
21 upvotes
Robert Ward
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
21 upvotes
nolachef2026
this is the way
20 upvotes
Logan Robinson
This.
20 upvotes
Alexander Brown
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in South. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in engineering. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
18 upvotes
Peyton Lopez
Moved here from Phoenix about 14 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to healthcare but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
15 upvotes
Miles
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 35, moved here 7 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Eastside and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The pet-friendliness situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for young professionals. tough 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 Minneapolis, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K 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.
14 upvotes
Isaac N.
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor recreation is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
13 upvotes
Allison B.
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the Fairview side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
12 upvotes
James Ramirez
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
10 upvotes
Hazel N.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Seattle it's tough.
9 upvotes
sdwalker2021
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 9 years. Moved from Phoenix for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
retail is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. East schools are average. 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. Dating scene is rough. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Eli C.
I've lived in East for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Decent public transit for the size
- The public transit scene is improving
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Good luck with whatever you decide..
6 upvotes
Zoey Wright
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Old Town. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
6 upvotes
Alexa A.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 29, moved here 12 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Lakewood and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Limited shopping options
3. The housing market situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for couples. improving 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 Phoenix, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
5 upvotes
Nolan Reed
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Sunset. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
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