Alright, Born and raised here. Crime rate is something to consider -Springmont sits at 124.2 per 100K. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Am I overthinking this? The city has invested a lot in new development. The weather takes some getting used to. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
10 upvotes
15 Replies
Eli N.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
37 upvotes
Ian
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 43, moved here 6 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Lakewood and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The dating scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 San Diego, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
37 upvotes
Aaron Sanders
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.
36 upvotes
Addison R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 9 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into running, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
31 upvotes
Carter Cruz
glad someone said it
25 upvotes
real_lily96
Bought a house here in 2015 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
25 upvotes
Ethan W.
interesting, hadn't considered that
24 upvotes
Jonathan Ramirez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is challenging in most areas.
24 upvotes
jax_elizabeth
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Riverside. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in tech. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Definitely worth checking out..
20 upvotes
Maya A.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to Houston it's average.
17 upvotes
Kinsley W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 30, moved here 12 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Eastside and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The public transit situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for couples. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
15 upvotes
Addison Ramos
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
15 upvotes
Alice
it depends on the neighborhood
11 upvotes
phoenix_mackenzie
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely decent and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
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