Hi all, Just moved here 17 months ago and It's a a smaller city city with about 34,291 people. The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
24 upvotes
9 Replies
Cameron A.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 43, moved here 4 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The outdoor recreation situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
40 upvotes
Benjamin Miller
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
36 upvotes
tulsawalker2024
I've lived in Lakewood for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
- The walkability scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Hope this helps!.
36 upvotes
Leah Evans
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Eastside. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in engineering. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Definitely worth checking out..
23 upvotes
Autumn Allen
I've lived in North for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good internet infrastructure
- The healthcare scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. Good luck with whatever you decide..
16 upvotes
Brielle Hill
I'm a contractor and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
11 upvotes
Gabriel Phillips
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great Korean places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
10 upvotes
Grayson Cook
100%
5 upvotes
Alexa C.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to New York it's solid.
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