Hey folks, We're a young couple and Homes are going for about $276,000 on average. You can expect to pay around $1,238 for rent here. Poverty rate is 11.5%, which is around average. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
Pros:
- Growing food scene
- Good schools
- Walkable downtown
Cons:
- Limited dining options
- Few job opportunities in some fields
- Far from major airports
Am I wrong here? Appreciate any input. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The city has invested a lot in new development. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The weather takes some getting used to. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
57 upvotes
23 Replies
Camila Jackson
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much pricey but now it's excellent.
38 upvotes
Miles Hall
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 24, moved here 13 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Springfield and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The community vibe situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for couples. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Portland, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
38 upvotes
Abigail Gray
following this thread
37 upvotes
Alexa Ward
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Definitely worth checking out..
36 upvotes
Aurora Nelson
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
34 upvotes
Wesley Hall
hard disagree but ok
32 upvotes
Eva Flores
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to Raleigh it's tough.
28 upvotes
Sebastian Cooper
I'm a electrician and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
28 upvotes
Jordan Ross
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
21 upvotes
Gabriel Hill
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 12 years. Moved from Boston for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. retail 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:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is improving - we have rivers 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 better than expected. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Limited high-paying job options. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Miles Long
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 43, moved here 3 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Lakewood and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Limited shopping options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for families. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Francisco, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K 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.
18 upvotes
Aiden Gomez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 3 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
18 upvotes
Margaret R.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Hope this helps!.
15 upvotes
Ryan Howard
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Sunset. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in retail. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
13 upvotes
Bennett L.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is underrated in most areas.
12 upvotes
Evan Hill
Can confirm, been here 4 years.
11 upvotes
Daniel K.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 6 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
9 upvotes
Silas Brown
couldn't agree more
9 upvotes
sd_naomi
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 12 years. Moved from Chicago for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. real estate 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 excellent - 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. Uptown schools are average. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
Mia B.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 13 years. Moved from Phoenix for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. hospitality 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:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are surprisingly 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. Rising rent and home prices. Dating scene is rough. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Eliana Walker
I'm a teacher and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
2 upvotes
Ezra Taylor
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 54, moved here 13 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Westside and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Nice parks and green spaces
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The job market situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for retirees. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
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