OK so I'm a college student here and It's a a mid-size city city with about 114K people. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Any advice would be great. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
31 upvotes
10 Replies
Jameson Cruz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 6 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
40 upvotes
Mason Sanders
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
39 upvotes
Emily
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 1 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
34 upvotes
Nolan Carter
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 2 years. Moved from Baltimore for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is average - 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. Westside schools are tough. 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. Limited high-paying job options. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
lake_melanie49
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great Indian places. I love the pace of life here.
20 upvotes
Sara N.
Bought a house here in 2016 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
19 upvotes
Ethan
as a local I can confirm
5 upvotes
Amy S.
seconding this
4 upvotes
Skylar Rivera
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
1 upvotes
Jameson Anderson
Used to live on the Sunset side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
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