Rent is about $952/month for a decent place. Poverty rate is 20.1%, which is higher than I expected. Median household income is $49,256, which feels on the lower side for the area. The median home value here is around $111,200, which is actually reasonable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The weather takes some getting used to. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
7 upvotes
15 Replies
Eleanor
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 13 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
36 upvotes
Hazel Howard
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much manageable but now it's improving.
29 upvotes
Victoria B.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Minneapolis it's better than expected.
29 upvotes
Jordan Roberts
interesting, hadn't considered that
26 upvotes
Natalie
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Houston about 11 years ago. The main reasons were family and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are affordable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
25 upvotes
Wesley J.
spot on
22 upvotes
raleigh_grayson
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
15 upvotes
Emilia
nah I disagree
15 upvotes
Wesley Ward
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Old Town area are improving. Kids love it here.
13 upvotes
Lily Gray
same here
11 upvotes
Adrian
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Asian places. it was the best decision I ever made.
10 upvotes
Owen Wright
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
7 upvotes
Ella Edwards
Moved here from Pittsburgh about 15 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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