Hello, I work in consulting and Rent is about $1,065/month for a decent place. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Thanks for reading. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
11 upvotes
5 Replies
Anna
seconding this
29 upvotes
Lucy
Came here for work and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The public transit is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
20 upvotes
Robert Miller
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 45, moved here 13 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Lakewood and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
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. Urban sprawl is real
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The cost of living situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for remote workers. better than expected 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 Seattle, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is reasonable. 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.
19 upvotes
happy_alexa70
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
7 upvotes
Sophie
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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