Curious what people think. We're a young couple and Homes are going for about $109,800 on average. Average temperature is around 69--F, so the weather is moderate. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Am I overthinking this? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The food scene here is surprisingly good.
6 upvotes
12 Replies
Alice Reed
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 51, moved here 6 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Eastside and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Close to major attractions
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The food scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for young professionals. challenging vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Portland, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K 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.
38 upvotes
Claire Gonzalez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 15 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
37 upvotes
Aaliyah Hall
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 26, moved here 11 years ago from LA. I've lived in Highland and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Close to major attractions
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally excellent - 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:**
- Highland: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 LA, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
29 upvotes
Leah Wright
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely average and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
26 upvotes
Billy R.
Moved here from Charlotte about 15 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to school system but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
25 upvotes
Katherine Jimenez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
24 upvotes
Reagan Gonzalez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Minneapolis about 5 years ago. The main reasons were work and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are wild, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Definitely worth checking out..
24 upvotes
Jose Collins
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is tough in most areas.
23 upvotes
Michael P.
not my experience at all
19 upvotes
Weston D.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if healthcare matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
11 upvotes
Kayden Wright
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Minneapolis about 13 years ago. The main reasons were school and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong job market in several industries
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are affordable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. No regrets on my end..
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