Should I move to Westwood CDP (Cambria County) or stay in Tampa?
Curious what people think. I'm a 30-year-old accountant and Poverty rate is 4.9%, which is pretty low. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
9 upvotes
14 Replies
Ella
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
37 upvotes
Addison Turner
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Oak Park for 1 years. Moved from Atlanta for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Oak Park schools are decent. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Limited entertainment options. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
kennedy_mind
seconding this
17 upvotes
stlmind2021
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much pricey but now it's underrated.
13 upvotes
Janice A.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 56, moved here 3 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Greenfield and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The community vibe situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for singles. excellent vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Miami, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$100K 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.
12 upvotes
Cameron
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Maple Ridge. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in tech. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Hope this helps!.
7 upvotes
Valentina Mitchell
interesting, hadn't considered that
7 upvotes
Wyatt Johnson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 6 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
5 upvotes
Kayden Wright
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
5 upvotes
dallaswalker2026
it depends on the neighborhood
4 upvotes
Mia P.
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The healthcare is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
4 upvotes
Lily Kim
seconding this
3 upvotes
Aria Murphy
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Atlanta it's challenging.
2 upvotes
Gabriel Rivera
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great farm-to-table places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
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