Longtime lurker here, I'm a college student here and Homes are going for about $596,700 on average. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Am I overthinking this? Appreciate any input.
27 upvotes
25 Replies
Harold J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 50, moved here 9 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Pine Hills and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The healthcare situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for young professionals. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Phoenix, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
40 upvotes
Ryan Gonzalez
honestly same experience here
40 upvotes
David A.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
39 upvotes
Gabriel
I've lived in Greenfield for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The walkability scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Happy to answer more specific questions..
37 upvotes
Sebastian Castillo
I've lived in Oak Park for about 2 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 Portland, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Affordable housing options
- The school system scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
32 upvotes
Sophia Brooks
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The school system is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
31 upvotes
Jaxon A.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
30 upvotes
Peyton Castillo
I've lived in Fairview for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Close to major attractions
- Strong sense of community
- The weather scene is pretty good
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Definitely worth checking out..
29 upvotes
Lucy
preach
28 upvotes
Betty Y.
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Vietnamese places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
25 upvotes
Asher Anderson
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
23 upvotes
mesawalker2024
spot on
22 upvotes
Brooks Taylor
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 6 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
19 upvotes
tulsa_josiah
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
17 upvotes
Cora Johnson
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
16 upvotes
Aubrey N.
accurate
15 upvotes
Mackenzie Baker
seconding this
13 upvotes
Quinn Gutierrez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 3 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
10 upvotes
Jeremiah Rodriguez
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much established but now it's tough.
8 upvotes
Dominic Nelson
couldn't agree more
8 upvotes
Jameson Allen
Used to live on the Westside side, now on the South side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
7 upvotes
Theodore Rodriguez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 7 years. Moved from Miami for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. real estate 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. Uptown schools are better than expected. 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 a lot of cultural diversity. Homeless population growing downtown. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Luke Mendoza
100%
5 upvotes
Jeremiah C.
hard disagree but ok
1 upvotes
sd_amelia
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 4 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. Lakewood schools are surprisingly good. 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 outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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