Thinking about relocating to Van Meter from Boston
Hey folks, I'm originally from Seattle and Median household income is $133,750, which feels pretty solid for the area. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Any advice would be great. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
11 upvotes
11 Replies
Willow Collins
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
37 upvotes
Cora Diaz
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
33 upvotes
Jean C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in West. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
29 upvotes
Julia Campbell
Came here for cost of living and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The cost of living is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
25 upvotes
Lily Davis
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
20 upvotes
dallasguy2020
Moved here from Chicago about 10 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to safety but Good luck with whatever you decide..
18 upvotes
Maverick Gonzalez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 31, moved here 2 years ago from New York. I've lived in Old Town and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited shopping options
3. The pet-friendliness situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for young professionals. average vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 New York, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
17 upvotes
Katherine M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 55, moved here 7 years ago from Miami. I've lived in South and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Close to major attractions
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited shopping options
3. The safety situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Miami, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
16 upvotes
Caroline P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 48, moved here 11 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Midtown and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The housing market situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Boston, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
14 upvotes
Nora Williams
hmm interesting perspective
11 upvotes
Allison Ross
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The dating scene is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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