Curious what people think. Born and raised here. The unemployment rate is 1.6%, which is pretty low. The suburbs are where most families end up. Am I overthinking this? Thanks in advance! Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
0 upvotes
12 Replies
Judith T.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely challenging and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
37 upvotes
Cooper Flores
honestly same experience here
35 upvotes
detroit_eli
noted, appreciate it
33 upvotes
Quinn Nelson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 12 years ago. The main reasons were work and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are growing, gas is decent.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Good luck with whatever you decide..
29 upvotes
Andrew D.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 41, moved here 10 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Fairview and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The pet-friendliness situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for remote workers. underrated 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 Nashville, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K 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.
28 upvotes
Ava
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (East) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Limited shopping options.
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.
22 upvotes
Colton Jones
I'm a HR manager and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
20 upvotes
Peyton Bennett
Can confirm, been here 6 years.
16 upvotes
Riley Kelly
I've lived in Lakewood for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The housing market scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited public transit options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
15 upvotes
Grayson T.
Used to live on the Maple Ridge side, now on the Highland side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
15 upvotes
Benjamin Gomez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Fairview. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in legal. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Definitely worth checking out..
1 upvotes
Aurora
I've lived in Old Town for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Active local events and festivals
- The cost of living scene is solid
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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