Random thought, It's a a small town city with about 8,154 people. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Worth the trade-offs? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
2 upvotes
14 Replies
Anna Morris
This.
40 upvotes
Ariana Cooper
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
39 upvotes
Ellie Patel
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
34 upvotes
Jace Morgan
great question, following
32 upvotes
Marie G.
exactly what I was thinking
31 upvotes
Rylee Reed
not my experience at all
20 upvotes
Audrey
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 5 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
18 upvotes
Amelia Green
+1
18 upvotes
Austin W.
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
17 upvotes
Billy R.
hard disagree but ok
17 upvotes
Zoey Ruiz
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in Lakewood area are underrated. Kids love it here.
14 upvotes
Gabriel Allen
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Dallas about 14 years ago. The main reasons were weather and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are manageable, gas is tough.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. No regrets on my end..
12 upvotes
Nathan Gray
Can confirm, been here 14 years.
5 upvotes
nolafan2023
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Charlotte about 13 years ago. The main reasons were school and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong sense of community
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are growing, gas is solid.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Hope this helps!.
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