Longtime lurker here, I relocated for work and Crime rate is something to consider -Santa Fe sits at 109.8 per 100K. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Anyone in a similar situation? The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
4 upvotes
15 Replies
Christina M.
I've lived in East for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Four distinct seasons
- Good airport with direct flights
- The housing market scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
38 upvotes
Mackenzie Thompson
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Oak Park area are excellent. Kids love it here.
37 upvotes
Nolan Smith
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 2 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into running, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
37 upvotes
Angela C.
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
36 upvotes
Nathan J.
good to know, thanks
34 upvotes
Terry R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 51, moved here 12 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Highland and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The cultural scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for singles. tough vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Baltimore, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$90K 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.
31 upvotes
Addison R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 13 years. Moved from Denver for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. hospitality 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is tough - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are underrated. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
tucsongirl2026
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. weather used to be much stable but now it's tough.
30 upvotes
Mackenzie Watson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
29 upvotes
Hannah Garcia
Bought a house here in 2019 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
22 upvotes
Alexander
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely excellent and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Midtown) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
19 upvotes
Joseph Bennett
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is cost of living. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
11 upvotes
Kevin R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely improving and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Highland) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
9 upvotes
Scarlett Morris
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 4 years. Moved from San Francisco for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook schools are surprisingly good. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Far from beaches/mountains. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Camila Smith
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
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