Hey, Poverty rate is 5.9%, which is pretty low. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. What are your go-to spots? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
39 upvotes
28 Replies
Angel Perez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Dallas about 13 years ago. The main reasons were family and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good internet infrastructure
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are competitive, gas is underrated.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
40 upvotes
Alexa Taylor
Moved here last year, no regrets.
40 upvotes
Jacob A.
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much competitive but now it's challenging.
38 upvotes
Robert Davis
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Sunset area are improving. Kids love it here.
37 upvotes
Kyle T.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Houston 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 Highland. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in government. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Hope this helps!.
37 upvotes
Ariana Ramirez
Moved here last year, no regrets.
34 upvotes
Brenda R.
underrated comment
34 upvotes
Paisley M.
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much affordable but now it's better than expected.
34 upvotes
Abigail
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 15 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
32 upvotes
Kinsley Brown
Totally agree!
31 upvotes
Hudson Smith
I've lived in Midtown for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The walkability scene is decent
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Hope this helps!.
28 upvotes
Betty L.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 2 years. Moved from Miami for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2018 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. Midtown schools are pretty good. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Homeless population growing downtown. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Connor Murphy
Bought a house here in 2022 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
24 upvotes
sarah_life
Used to live on the South side, now on the East side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
24 upvotes
Noah Davis
Moved here from Nashville about 5 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to dating scene but Definitely worth checking out..
22 upvotes
Hudson J.
following this thread
21 upvotes
Isabella Wilson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 15 years. Moved from Seattle for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. consulting 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:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is tough - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Lakewood 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. Urban sprawl is real. Limited entertainment options. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Avery Young
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in South area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
13 upvotes
Levi Foster
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The housing market is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
13 upvotes
Joshua Ruiz
I work in finance here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Definitely worth checking out..
8 upvotes
Sofia Rogers
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Houston it's surprisingly good.
8 upvotes
emma_living
yeah no that's not right
8 upvotes
Sarah J.
as a local I can confirm
6 upvotes
Willow Torres
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 1 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
4 upvotes
Miles M.
great question, following
3 upvotes
Jace Allen
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.
2 upvotes
Leonardo Ortiz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 15 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
2 upvotes
Aaliyah Kim
Moved here from LA about 13 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to job market but Definitely worth checking out..
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