Hey everyone, My family moved here when I was a kid. Average temperature is around 56--F, so the weather is moderate. Homes are going for about $1,225,300 on average. Rent is about $3,385/month for a decent place. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Would love some local perspective. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The suburbs are where most families end up. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The food scene here is surprisingly good. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
8 upvotes
14 Replies
Eleanor Green
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Uptown area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
40 upvotes
Ian Ruiz
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
37 upvotes
Natalie Brooks
I'm a writer and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
34 upvotes
urban_hudson57
Came here for cost of living and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The school system is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
33 upvotes
local_emily78
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Lakewood. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in education. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Asian.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
31 upvotes
Jack
Used to live on the Riverside side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
31 upvotes
Carolyn B.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 9 years. Moved from New York for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is decent - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are underrated. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Dating scene is rough. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
William Ramirez
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
23 upvotes
Emily Richardson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from LA about 6 years ago. The main reasons were weather and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Active local events and festivals
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are developing, gas is challenging.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. No regrets on my end..
19 upvotes
Adam Mitchell
I'm a marketing manager and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
14 upvotes
denver_carson
interesting, hadn't considered that
13 upvotes
Ruby Cooper
I've lived in South for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
- The traffic scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
8 upvotes
John Turner
I'm a data analyst and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
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