My family moved here when I was a kid. Homes are going for about $79,100 on average. It's a a small town city with about 13,019 people. The suburbs are where most families end up. Thoughts? Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
5 upvotes
5 Replies
Mason
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in East. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in marketing. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Korean.
No regrets on my end..
36 upvotes
Madeline Johnson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 13 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
33 upvotes
Ryan K.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Austin it's average.
24 upvotes
Anna Gomez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely solid and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Westside) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation 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.
5 upvotes
Isaiah Rogers
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 developing but now it's surprisingly good.
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