Hey, I'm retired and With a population of 27,284, Wakefield is a smaller city. Rent is about $1,872/month for a decent place. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Does this match your experience?
13 upvotes
6 Replies
Xavier Smith
This.
34 upvotes
Linda B.
been saying this for years
27 upvotes
Jackson Jones
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 37, moved here 14 years ago from New York. I've lived in East and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Close to major attractions
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The pet-friendliness situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for families. solid 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$150K 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.
17 upvotes
Bella Clark
yep
15 upvotes
Harper B.
Used to live on the North side, now on the Meadowbrook side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
7 upvotes
Hudson Rogers
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Atlanta about 5 years ago. The main reasons were family and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good internet infrastructure
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are wild, gas is improving.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Feel free to reach out with questions..
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