The median home value here is around $587,700, which is pretty steep. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. What would you do?
14 upvotes
14 Replies
Miles Wilson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 33, moved here 11 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Lakewood and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The dating scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for singles. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Baltimore, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K 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.
34 upvotes
Melanie Brooks
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much wild but now it's better than expected.
34 upvotes
Isabella W.
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
23 upvotes
Isabella R.
noted, appreciate it
19 upvotes
Kaylee Watson
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
19 upvotes
Melanie Wood
seconding this
18 upvotes
Jeremiah Martin
I've lived in West for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Decent public transit for the size
- The cultural scene scene is decent
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for retirees. Hope this helps!.
16 upvotes
Mateo
I work in consulting here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is tough. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
14 upvotes
happy_silas34
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The weather is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
12 upvotes
Sophie Thomas
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Nashville about 1 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Lots of new development happening
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are affordable, gas is average.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
11 upvotes
Weston
preach
10 upvotes
Harper M.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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