I'm retired and Homes are going for about $377,800 on average. Poverty rate is 6.9%, which is pretty low. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. What are your go-to spots? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
44 upvotes
34 Replies
Nora Patel
hmm interesting perspective
39 upvotes
Rylee Cook
hard disagree but ok
37 upvotes
Hazel Long
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Midtown. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in finance. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
37 upvotes
lalocal2021
this is the way
37 upvotes
Anna Harris
I work in finance here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Happy to answer more specific questions..
37 upvotes
Alice R.
nah I disagree
35 upvotes
Eva E.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in West. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in real estate. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
35 upvotes
Elijah Cruz
yep
33 upvotes
cincyrunner2021
+1
33 upvotes
Cameron Ortiz
yep
31 upvotes
Mia
interesting, hadn't considered that
30 upvotes
Silas Adams
Bought a house here in 2023 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone about the same since then.
29 upvotes
Valentina Hill
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Old Town. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in legal. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Definitely worth checking out..
25 upvotes
Maverick Sanders
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 27, moved here 9 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Pine Hills and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The cultural scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for couples. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Austin, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
25 upvotes
Caleb Morales
underrated comment
24 upvotes
Bella W.
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
23 upvotes
Nora Roberts
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is excellent in most areas.
20 upvotes
Lucy
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (South) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living 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.
20 upvotes
Amanda J.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 15 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
17 upvotes
Austin Brown
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from San Diego about 5 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are growing, gas is improving.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. No regrets on my end..
14 upvotes
Violet Castillo
I've lived in Lakewood for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
- The public transit scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. No regrets on my end..
12 upvotes
Camila C.
preach
12 upvotes
Gianna Lee
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 37, moved here 11 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in East and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The safety situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Dallas, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K 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.
10 upvotes
Theodore
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
8 upvotes
Kimberly W.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is community vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me. Worth doing your research before committing.
7 upvotes
Adrian Nelson
Bought a house here in 2018 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
7 upvotes
Rylee Robinson
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much affordable but now it's solid.
6 upvotes
Eleanor Carter
Used to live on the Uptown side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
6 upvotes
Ariana Brown
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Denver it's excellent.
4 upvotes
Miles Thomas
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 9 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
3 upvotes
Ryan Nelson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely pretty good and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Downtown) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
1 upvotes
Violet Castillo
been saying this for years
0 upvotes
Lillian Hughes
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Midtown. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
0 upvotes
Katherine Young
Came here for cost of living and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The cost of living is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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