Homes are going for about $899,400 on average. Median household income is $127,056, which feels pretty solid for the area. Average temperature is around 52--F, so expect cold winters. It's a a smaller city city with about 80,549 people. The median home value here is around $899,400, which is pretty steep. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The weather takes some getting used to.
Pros:
- Nice parks and trails
- Low crime in most areas
- Walkable downtown
Cons:
- Cold winters
- High property taxes
- Few job opportunities in some fields
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Homelessness issues downtown
Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
25 upvotes
27 Replies
chill_gianna86
haha yep pretty much
39 upvotes
Josiah R.
literally same
38 upvotes
William Taylor
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
37 upvotes
Miles Gomez
facts
34 upvotes
Cameron Gomez
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
34 upvotes
miami_olivia
good to know, thanks
33 upvotes
Julian Reed
+1
30 upvotes
Jonathan Sanchez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely pretty good and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Eastside) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
28 upvotes
Oliver Jackson
glad someone said it
27 upvotes
Stella A.
nah I disagree
25 upvotes
Logan H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 51, moved here 1 years ago from LA. I've lived in Greenfield and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Limited shopping options
3. The nightlife situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for retirees. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 LA, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
24 upvotes
declan_life
I've lived in Midtown for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Strong job market in several industries
- The traffic scene is pretty good
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. Hope this helps!.
21 upvotes
Logan Ramirez
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Cedar Grove area are solid. Kids love it here.
20 upvotes
Ethan Scott
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely better than expected and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Downtown) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
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.
20 upvotes
Leah B.
I've lived in Old Town for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- The community vibe scene is improving
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. No regrets on my end..
19 upvotes
Valentina W.
I'm a electrician and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
15 upvotes
Parker Turner
I work in healthcare here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is solid. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
11 upvotes
Dominic Brown
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 14 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
11 upvotes
kc_valentina
yeah no that's not right
10 upvotes
Aaron M.
I've lived in Lakewood for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good healthcare facilities
- The housing market scene is solid
The downsides:
- Limited shopping options
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. Hope this helps!.
10 upvotes
Emmett C.
glad someone said it
10 upvotes
Jack
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is challenging in most areas.
7 upvotes
Gloria H.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Boston about 4 years ago. The main reasons were weather and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are pricey, gas is solid.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Hope this helps!.
7 upvotes
John Nelson
spot on
4 upvotes
detroitwalker2026
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely tough and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Eastside) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene 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.
4 upvotes
Brielle Price
I'm a project manager and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
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