Hi all, I'm single, late 40s, and It's a a mid-size city city with about 124K people. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Does this match your experience?
40 upvotes
16 Replies
denverheart2026
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The traffic is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
39 upvotes
Rylee James
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely better than expected and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
38 upvotes
Dylan Price
not my experience at all
34 upvotes
Andrew H.
haha yep pretty much
34 upvotes
Laura H.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Lakewood. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in construction. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
27 upvotes
Gianna Adams
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 42, moved here 8 years ago from LA. I've lived in East and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Can feel isolated
3. The walkability situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for couples. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 LA, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
25 upvotes
Zoe
noted, appreciate it
22 upvotes
Vivian Thomas
good to know, thanks
21 upvotes
mountain_valentina3
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
21 upvotes
Mia Lewis
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
17 upvotes
Autumn Diaz
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Eastside. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in construction. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
11 upvotes
Christian W.
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
8 upvotes
Ella P.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
8 upvotes
houston_willow
hard disagree but ok
3 upvotes
Thomas Brown
I've lived in Westside for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- The nightlife scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. No regrets on my end..