Anyone else feel this way? My partner and I are Average temperature is around 48--F, so expect cold winters. Rent is about $1,816/month for a decent place. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Am I wrong here? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
41 upvotes
15 Replies
Kaylee
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
40 upvotes
Bella Flores
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 11 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
37 upvotes
Silas Anderson
Used to live on the South side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
33 upvotes
Wesley Bennett
Came here for weather and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The safety is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
27 upvotes
Eliana Y.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 40, moved here 15 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Lakewood and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Limited shopping options
3. The dating scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
26 upvotes
Nova Patel
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 3 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
24 upvotes
Addison Cooper
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Seattle it's underrated.
21 upvotes
mountain_lillian19
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Mediterranean places. the quality of life is solid.
21 upvotes
Sebastian
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
18 upvotes
Kennedy Long
This.
16 upvotes
Emily Edwards
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 44, moved here 11 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Greenfield and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The food scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for singles. tough vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Raleigh, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K 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.
11 upvotes
Bennett
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
9 upvotes
Paisley Howard
underrated comment
8 upvotes
Grayson Hughes
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Riverside. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in legal. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
7 upvotes
Jose Thomas
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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