Anyone else feel this way? The unemployment rate is 3.9%, which is pretty low. Household incomes average around $52,446 in St. Anthony. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Am I overthinking this? 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.
0 upvotes
9 Replies
Sarah C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in North. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in tech. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
37 upvotes
Jayden Edwards
hmm interesting perspective
34 upvotes
Hannah
glad someone said it
22 upvotes
Jordan Reed
Used to live on the Downtown side, now on the Uptown side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
19 upvotes
Audrey Lewis
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
18 upvotes
Nora Nguyen
100%
17 upvotes
Lillian Wright
glad someone said it
10 upvotes
James Ramirez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 34, moved here 8 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Uptown and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Can feel isolated
3. The cost of living situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for retirees. tough vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K 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.
3 upvotes
Gabriel Y.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 11 years. Moved from Minneapolis for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have mountains 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 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. Bugs and humidity in summer. Far from beaches/mountains. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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