Hello, Poverty rate is 14.6%, which is around average. The unemployment rate is 4.2%, which is about average. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Am I wrong here? TIA! The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
18 upvotes
19 Replies
true_elizabeth74
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 34, moved here 6 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Uptown and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The job market situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for singles. tough vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Charlotte, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$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.
38 upvotes
Asher M.
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The walkability is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
34 upvotes
Mason Castillo
hard disagree but ok
33 upvotes
Addison
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
30 upvotes
Genesis Parker
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 3 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
30 upvotes
Oliver Clark
I work in marketing here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is excellent. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
29 upvotes
Henry Torres
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Asian places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
24 upvotes
Mia Wilson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 2 years. Moved from Dallas for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2018 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is underrated - 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. Pine Hills schools are excellent. 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. Winters are long and cold. Homeless population growing downtown. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Hailey Hill
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from San Diego about 1 years ago. The main reasons were weather and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Four distinct seasons
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are reasonable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Feel free to reach out with questions..
21 upvotes
Nathan R.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
18 upvotes
Abigail Ward
+1
17 upvotes
Theodore R.
Used to live on the Greenfield side, now on the East side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
17 upvotes
Joe R.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is tough in most areas.
13 upvotes
Theodore C.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is decent in most areas.
13 upvotes
Mackenzie B.
100%
9 upvotes
Jack Hall
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the Oak Park side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
4 upvotes
Miles T.
this is the way
4 upvotes
Colton L.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Midtown. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in retail. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Hope this helps!.
3 upvotes
Leo
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is walkability. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
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