My family moved here when I was a kid. Poverty rate is 3.5%, which is pretty low. Homes are going for about $1,838,800 on average. The unemployment rate is 2.5%, which is pretty low. The median home value here is around $1,838,800, which is pretty steep. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Anyone in a similar situation? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
3 upvotes
18 Replies
Piper King
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely improving and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (The Heights) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
39 upvotes
Jose
spot on
38 upvotes
Austin Adams
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 13 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
37 upvotes
Aubrey
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
36 upvotes
Madeline C.
glad someone said it
33 upvotes
Parker Alvarez
Can confirm, been here 9 years.
27 upvotes
Isabelle W.
I'm a lawyer and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
27 upvotes
Grace O.
following this thread
25 upvotes
Carter Brooks
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Cedar Grove area are excellent. Kids love it here.
21 upvotes
Victoria Nguyen
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
17 upvotes
Jonathan Cooper
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 15 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
12 upvotes
dallasguy2020
Totally agree!
12 upvotes
Alexander Evans
Came here for cost of living and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The walkability is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
10 upvotes
Ezra Patel
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 39, moved here 9 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The public transit situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for families. solid vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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
Madeline B.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 44, moved here 13 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Riverside and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The housing market situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for young professionals. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Tampa, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
9 upvotes
Jonathan O.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 11 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
9 upvotes
Victoria Gomez
100%
4 upvotes
Jacob
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Lakewood. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
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