I'm retired and Median household income is $94,028, which feels pretty solid for the area. Crime rate is something to consider -Spanaway sits at 640.7 per 100K. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Should I be concerned? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
0 upvotes
27 Replies
Jeremiah Cook
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely tough and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Westside) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
37 upvotes
mountain_levi82
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 2 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
36 upvotes
Jameson Cox
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely average and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Fairview) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
32 upvotes
Adrian Lee
good to know, thanks
31 upvotes
Nora Price
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
30 upvotes
Jonathan Lewis
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Midtown. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
29 upvotes
Billy J.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Good luck with whatever you decide..
27 upvotes
Ian Kelly
I'm a physical therapist and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
26 upvotes
Caroline G.
This.
24 upvotes
Ruby Long
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Riverside. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
21 upvotes
Mia Torres
Moved here from Dallas about 13 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to community vibe but Feel free to reach out with questions..
18 upvotes
Axel Collins
100%
14 upvotes
living_addison90
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 10 years. Moved from Baltimore for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook schools are underrated. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Can feel isolated. Limited shopping options. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
houston_zoey
I've lived in West for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by job market. 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 food scene scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Winters are long and cold
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
14 upvotes
Cora White
big facts right here
8 upvotes
Scarlett Alvarez
great question, following
7 upvotes
Eleanor Morales
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 9 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
7 upvotes
wesley_life
honestly same experience here
7 upvotes
Dylan R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 4 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are solid. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Nightlife is limited. Limited shopping options. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
Bennett Bennett
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 29, moved here 13 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Lakewood and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The job market situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for young professionals. decent vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Dallas, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K 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.
6 upvotes
Valentina White
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The housing market is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
6 upvotes
Oliver Gomez
yeah no that's not right
6 upvotes
Luke Edwards
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
5 upvotes
Elijah Rodriguez
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Uptown area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
3 upvotes
Leah
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 15 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
3 upvotes
Eleanor B.
noted, appreciate it
3 upvotes
Theodore W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 11 years. Moved from Raleigh for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is tough - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are tough. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Far from beaches/mountains. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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