We're a young couple and The median home value here is around $371,400, which seems about average. The weather takes some getting used to. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Worth the trade-offs? Thanks! It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
6 upvotes
15 Replies
Eugene N.
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
40 upvotes
Diane T.
Used to live on the Lakewood side, now on the Downtown side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
36 upvotes
Genesis Alvarez
same here
36 upvotes
Waylon Jackson
Moved here last year, no regrets.
36 upvotes
Austin Ramirez
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 13 years here, that's my honest assessment.
32 upvotes
Aaliyah Johnson
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
23 upvotes
Luke
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 36, moved here 13 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Greenfield and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The walkability situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for retirees. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Chicago, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $90K-$80K 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.
9 upvotes
Kaylee Reed
Used to live on the Greenfield side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
8 upvotes
Roman Gomez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is solid in most areas.
8 upvotes
river_adam13
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Westside. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in finance. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
4 upvotes
Elena Perez
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
3 upvotes
Matthew L.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely improving and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Westside) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Homeless population growing downtown.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
3 upvotes
Arianna Mendoza
been saying this for years
1 upvotes
Hudson S.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
1 upvotes
oakland_luke
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Highland area are solid. Kids love it here.
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