First post here. We have two kids and The unemployment rate is 4.0%, which is pretty low. You can expect to pay around $1,623 for rent here. The city has invested a lot in new development. Worth the trade-offs? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
13 upvotes
24 Replies
Natalie
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in East. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in tech. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Definitely worth checking out..
37 upvotes
Genesis Walker
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 2 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
33 upvotes
Grayson C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 51, moved here 3 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Affordable housing options
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited entertainment options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The safety situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for families. average vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$110K 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.
32 upvotes
Bennett King
wish I knew this sooner
30 upvotes
Hunter Smith
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 3 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
27 upvotes
Carter Wilson
I've lived in West for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Four distinct seasons
- The weather scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Happy to answer more specific questions..
23 upvotes
Isaiah R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 4 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
20 upvotes
Avery Allen
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
20 upvotes
Alexander A.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Hope this helps!.
19 upvotes
Amelia Davis
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
19 upvotes
Oliver Peterson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 2 years. Moved from Boston for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is solid - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Cedar Grove 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. Limited public transit options. Nightlife is limited. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
17 upvotes
Ezra C.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
16 upvotes
Aiden Rodriguez
great question, following
12 upvotes
Willow
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
12 upvotes
Alexander Brown
bump
12 upvotes
Isaac C.
I'm a lawyer and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
11 upvotes
Adrian Allen
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
9 upvotes
Alice Howard
yep
8 upvotes
Olivia Davis
big facts right here
8 upvotes
Kai
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 7 years. Moved from Portland for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. 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 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have desert landscapes 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 tough. 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. Limited high-paying job options. Road conditions need improvement. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Natalie R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Portland about 1 years ago. The main reasons were work and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Dating scene is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are wild, gas is decent.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
7 upvotes
Leonardo Carter
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The safety is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
7 upvotes
Grayson Cook
I've lived in Downtown for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good internet infrastructure
- The cultural scene scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
4 upvotes
Connor Jones
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
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