Longtime lurker here, I'm a college student here and Average temperature is around 58°F, so the weather is moderate. It's a a mid-size city city with about 126K people. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
22 upvotes
20 Replies
Shirley N.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely better than expected and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
39 upvotes
Serenity R.
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much competitive but now it's average.
37 upvotes
Ian Baker
+1
37 upvotes
Thomas Hughes
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
36 upvotes
Elena Thomas
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 8 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
31 upvotes
Isabelle Peterson
Came here for family and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The walkability is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
27 upvotes
Aurora Perez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 1 years. Moved from Phoenix for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are decent. 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. Nightlife is limited. Bugs and humidity in summer. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Wyatt Harris
thanks for sharing
24 upvotes
Melanie O.
I've lived in South for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
- The traffic scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
22 upvotes
portland_samuel
lol so true
18 upvotes
Eli M.
I'm a project manager and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
17 upvotes
Cora
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 5 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
15 upvotes
Ruby Morales
as a local I can confirm
15 upvotes
portlandchef2022
seconding this
14 upvotes
Isaac
yeah no that's not right
13 upvotes
Mason Rogers
glad someone said it
10 upvotes
Wesley Ruiz
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
9 upvotes
Sarah Chavez
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 job market is genuinely average and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Fairview) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
5 upvotes
carson_mama
spot on
5 upvotes
Valentina
I've lived in Lakewood for about 1 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 Raleigh, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- The food scene scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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