Not sure if this has been asked before, but There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Is this normal for Shenandoah?
10 upvotes
10 Replies
Piper Ramos
This.
36 upvotes
Grace T.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is challenging in most areas.
31 upvotes
Greyson D.
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is cultural scene. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
27 upvotes
Roman Reyes
accurate
25 upvotes
Skylar Ramos
I've lived in Midtown for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The traffic scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Hope this helps!.
24 upvotes
Zoe
following this thread
21 upvotes
William Roberts
Came here for cost of living and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The safety is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
18 upvotes
Cheryl T.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 31, moved here 9 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Fairview and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for couples. tough vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Austin, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
14 upvotes
James O.
underrated comment
7 upvotes
John
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 6 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
All Countries
