Longtime lurker here, Been living here since 2021. Poverty rate is 5.2%, which is pretty low. Median household income is $117,840, which feels pretty solid for the area. Homes are going for about $640,400 on average. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
41 upvotes
30 Replies
Caleb
honestly same experience here
40 upvotes
Piper R.
Can confirm, been here 3 years.
39 upvotes
Adam Gomez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Houston 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 Old Town. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in real estate. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
39 upvotes
Sebastian Diaz
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The cultural scene is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
38 upvotes
Ryan Brooks
Moved here last year, no regrets.
35 upvotes
Naomi Robinson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Seattle about 2 years ago. The main reasons were school and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Four distinct seasons
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are manageable, gas is challenging.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Happy to answer more specific questions..
32 upvotes
Sophia
thanks for sharing
30 upvotes
Hazel
Moved here last year, no regrets.
30 upvotes
Aurora Davis
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Definitely worth checking out..
29 upvotes
sacramento_olivia
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely hit or miss and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is pricey 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 Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
28 upvotes
Nathan Cruz
yep
28 upvotes
Zoey Rivera
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in South. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in consulting. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
27 upvotes
Jackson Perez
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
27 upvotes
Amelia
good to know, thanks
25 upvotes
Nancy A.
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
24 upvotes
Declan Hernandez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 51, moved here 13 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Downtown and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Property taxes are high
3. The safety situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Miami, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
23 upvotes
Sofia
I've lived in Lakewood for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
- The traffic scene is tough
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. Hope this helps!.
22 upvotes
Doris H.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 6 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
20 upvotes
Maya Torres
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
19 upvotes
Nova James
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in Midtown area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
19 upvotes
Eva
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Phoenix about 9 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are affordable, gas is excellent.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Hope this helps!.
19 upvotes
Savannah Harris
seconding this
18 upvotes
Caroline S.
nah I disagree
15 upvotes
Colton Foster
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Raleigh about 15 years ago. The main reasons were weather and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Four distinct seasons
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are established, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
12 upvotes
Nathan Wood
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
11 upvotes
Roman M.
+1
8 upvotes
sdmama2020
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Four distinct seasons
- Good airport with direct flights
- The cultural scene scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Happy to answer more specific questions..
4 upvotes
Carson Hughes
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
3 upvotes
Caroline Morris
Bought a house here in 2016 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
3 upvotes
Weston Howard
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is dating scene. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
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