Hey everyone, Military spouse here. Median household income is $52,671, which feels on the lower side for the area. The median home value here is around $180,500, which is actually reasonable. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Am I overthinking this? Property taxes are high but you get good services. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
2 upvotes
4 Replies
fresnovibes2020
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 34, moved here 1 years ago from Portland. I've lived in South and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The healthcare situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for retirees. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Portland, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
32 upvotes
Christina M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 7 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
27 upvotes
Reagan D.
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much growing but now it's excellent.
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