Curious what people think. Military spouse here. You can expect to pay around $2,282 for rent here. Poverty rate is 5.9%, which is pretty low. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development. The food scene here is surprisingly good. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
12 upvotes
6 Replies
minneapolisgirl2023
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
25 upvotes
David S.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in West. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in legal. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Definitely worth checking out..
23 upvotes
Serenity J.
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in The Heights area are average. Kids love it here.
12 upvotes
Adrian Garcia
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Nashville about 12 years ago. The main reasons were family and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are stable, gas is underrated.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Good luck with whatever you decide..
10 upvotes
Mateo T.
noted, appreciate it
7 upvotes
Lydia J.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 9 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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