Been meaning to ask this. Been living here since 2011. Poverty rate is 11.7%, which is around average. The unemployment rate is 3.9%, which is pretty low. It's a a small town city with about 5,510 people. Average temperature is around 58--F, so the weather is moderate. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Anyone in a similar situation? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
8 upvotes
12 Replies
Kenneth R.
great question, following
37 upvotes
chill_abigail28
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much reasonable but now it's solid.
36 upvotes
Abigail R.
preach
34 upvotes
Levi Rogers
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
33 upvotes
sophia_girl
+1
19 upvotes
Catherine B.
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much established but now it's surprisingly good.
18 upvotes
Wesley R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 43, moved here 15 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Fairview and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The pet-friendliness situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 San Francisco, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$100K 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.
16 upvotes
vegas_ellie
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
4 upvotes
Jayden M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Lakewood. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in retail. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Hope this helps!.
2 upvotes
urban_david20
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
0 upvotes
Dylan Wright
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. No regrets on my end..
0 upvotes
Liam
I'm a real estate agent and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is average and there's always something going on.
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