Been meaning to ask this. We have two kids and It's a a small town city with about 3,323 people. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Is this normal for Welsh? Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
13 upvotes
3 Replies
Isla Reyes
honestly same experience here
32 upvotes
Josiah
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 24, moved here 9 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Westside and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The school system situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for families. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 San Francisco, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
24 upvotes
Jean F.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 6 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.