Hey everyone, The unemployment rate is 8.1%, which is concerning. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Should I be concerned? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The suburbs are where most families end up. The city has invested a lot in new development. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
20 upvotes
10 Replies
Bennett Bennett
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. cost of living used to be much pricey but now it's surprisingly good.
40 upvotes
Chloe Cruz
preach
29 upvotes
Rylee Clark
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
24 upvotes
Santiago White
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is improving in most areas.
24 upvotes
Julia C.
yeah no that's not right
20 upvotes
Bennett Phillips
good to know, thanks
19 upvotes
Leah Adams
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 27, moved here 4 years ago from LA. I've lived in Midtown and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Close to major attractions
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. Limited shopping options
3. The housing market situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for singles. tough vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 LA, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
18 upvotes
Kai A.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely excellent and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
18 upvotes
Jameson Cox
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The healthcare is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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