Random thought, It's a a small town city with about 5,309 people. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Should I be concerned?
14 upvotes
15 Replies
Lily White
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely pretty good and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Old Town) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic 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.
39 upvotes
Bobby J.
Saving this thread
34 upvotes
Sophia Diaz
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
34 upvotes
Carter Ross
Moved here from San Francisco about 11 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to dating scene but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
33 upvotes
Ariana R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Westside. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in government. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
32 upvotes
Cameron B.
couldn't agree more
31 upvotes
Jeremiah Gonzalez
accurate
28 upvotes
Jonathan Gray
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
28 upvotes
Joseph S.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if cultural scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
27 upvotes
Leo Sanders
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 2 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into running, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
18 upvotes
Jose M.
literally same
17 upvotes
Theodore C.
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Eastside area are challenging. Kids love it here.
14 upvotes
Weston
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Raleigh about 12 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Active local events and festivals
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are developing, gas is excellent.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Feel free to reach out with questions..
7 upvotes
Hailey Williams
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
5 upvotes
Robert Reed
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Happy to answer more specific questions..
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