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Nicholas Hall housing

Rent vs buy in Strathmore -what makes sense?

Hi all, Crime rate is something to consider -Strathmore sits at 308.3 per 100K. The unemployment rate is 2.6%, which is pretty low. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Any advice would be great. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The suburbs are where most families end up. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
7 upvotes

15 Replies

Everett Morris
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.

I've been here 12 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is hit or miss.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Hope this helps!.
39 upvotes
Hazel Nguyen
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
37 upvotes
Maya Kelly
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The cultural scene is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
36 upvotes
Audrey Carter
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a social worker, 53, moved here 12 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Greenfield and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited public transit options
3. The walkability situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Seattle, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$100K here.

**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
36 upvotes
Delilah W.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Definitely worth checking out..
35 upvotes
Jace Stewart
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. it's not perfect but it works for me. Worth doing your research before committing.
34 upvotes
Joshua
exactly what I was thinking
33 upvotes
Liam R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in East. It's better than expected for what you get.

Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in government. If you're in government you might struggle.

People: Generally underrated. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like sushi.

No regrets on my end..
24 upvotes
Santiago
bump
19 upvotes
Nolan Reed
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Greenfield. It's tough for what you get.

Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in construction. If you're in marketing you might struggle.

People: Generally solid. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Indian.

Hope this helps!.
18 upvotes
Angel Patel
underrated comment
17 upvotes
Robert Green
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. it's not perfect but it works for me. Worth doing your research before committing.
17 upvotes
Bennett Edwards
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value job market, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely tough and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.

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.
8 upvotes
Eli Howard
hard disagree but ok
6 upvotes
Theodore Rivera
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a data analyst, 35, moved here 8 years ago from New York. I've lived in North and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Property taxes are high
3. The weather situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for singles. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 New York, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K here.

**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
5 upvotes
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