Hey everyone, I'm single, late 20s, and It's a a small town city with about 3,372 people. With a population of 3,372, Red Oak is a small town. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Has anyone dealt with this?
1 upvotes
14 Replies
Nolan Mitchell
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
36 upvotes
Alexander Mitchell
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Pine Hills. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Definitely worth checking out..
31 upvotes
Jordan
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. weather used to be much stable but now it's excellent.
21 upvotes
Violet T.
lol so true
20 upvotes
Austin H.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
12 upvotes
laliving2021
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 4 years. Moved from Nashville for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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. Lakewood schools are improving. 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. Winters are long and cold. Limited shopping options. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Hudson Rogers
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in The Heights area are improving. Kids love it here.
12 upvotes
Emilia Gonzalez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in The Heights. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in construction. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
9 upvotes
Gabriel A.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 1 years. Moved from Raleigh for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are average. 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. Winters are long and cold. Homeless population growing downtown. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Anna Kim
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Pine Hills area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
6 upvotes
Luna Ruiz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 40, moved here 15 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The housing market situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for remote workers. solid vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Raleigh, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
6 upvotes
Nathan Rivera
This.
5 upvotes
John
yeah no that's not right
3 upvotes
Charlotte R.
I work in healthcare here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is decent. Good luck with whatever you decide..
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