Hey folks, I'm single, late 20s, and Average temperature is around 49--F, so expect cold winters. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. What would you do? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
15 upvotes
11 Replies
Ezekiel Peterson
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
37 upvotes
Ezra
The food scene here is average. Tons of great Southern places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
33 upvotes
Levi
+1
32 upvotes
James M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Tampa about 9 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good internet infrastructure
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are stable, gas is decent.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Happy to answer more specific questions..
29 upvotes
Eugene E.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if traffic matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
28 upvotes
Santiago Thompson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
24 upvotes
Colton
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Good luck with whatever you decide..
20 upvotes
Scarlett Smith
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
19 upvotes
Ryan Rodriguez
Used to live on the West side, now on the Westside side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
17 upvotes
Abigail Price
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 10 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
11 upvotes
Hailey
Moved here from Nashville about 15 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to public transit but Feel free to reach out with questions..
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