Hey folks, Military spouse here. The unemployment rate is 3.5%, which is pretty low. Average temperature is around 54°F, so expect cold winters. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
10 upvotes
16 Replies
Melanie M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 11 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
39 upvotes
stl_luna
hard disagree but ok
37 upvotes
Ethan P.
Totally agree!
33 upvotes
Hailey Rogers
Moved here last year, no regrets.
29 upvotes
Elijah Bennett
Can confirm, been here 8 years.
27 upvotes
Weston Ramirez
I work in marketing here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is underrated. Happy to answer more specific questions..
21 upvotes
Joyce R.
Moved here from Phoenix about 14 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to outdoor recreation but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
17 upvotes
Helen C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely tough and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Springfield) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
16 upvotes
Arianna Anderson
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
8 upvotes
Cooper C.
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
6 upvotes
Emma Young
Bought a house here in 2024 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone about the same since then.
5 upvotes
Grace C.
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Riverside area are underrated. Kids love it here.
4 upvotes
Evan Brown
Saving this thread
4 upvotes
Santiago King
I work in retail here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is underrated. Hope this helps!.
3 upvotes
James Jackson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely better than expected and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe 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.
3 upvotes
Leo
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The cultural scene is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
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