Anyone else feel this way? We're a young couple and Poverty rate is 14.1%, which is around average. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development.
17 upvotes
19 Replies
houstonkid2026
haha yep pretty much
34 upvotes
wyatt_life
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
33 upvotes
milwaukeechef2025
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Hope this helps!.
31 upvotes
Delilah Bennett
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the Meadowbrook side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
26 upvotes
Parker Young
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
25 upvotes
Harper Walker
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Downtown area are tough. Kids love it here.
24 upvotes
Judy K.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Riverside. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in real estate. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
24 upvotes
Skylar Howard
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much growing but now it's average.
21 upvotes
Michael C.
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
18 upvotes
Noah O.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 11 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
17 upvotes
Cameron Thompson
This.
17 upvotes
Hannah
Bought a house here in 2020 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
14 upvotes
Hunter Nelson
bump
11 upvotes
bostonlife2023
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. No regrets on my end..
7 upvotes
Eva Williams
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely excellent and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Uptown) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
5 upvotes
Miles Moore
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
5 upvotes
Roman Gomez
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
3 upvotes
Ezekiel M.
+1
2 upvotes
Isaac Ward
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 42, moved here 1 years ago from LA. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The walkability situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for singles. tough vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is pricey. 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.
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