Hi all, I'm a remote worker and Average temperature is around 52--F, so expect cold winters. It's a a small town city with about 8,862 people. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
14 upvotes
13 Replies
Aubrey Phillips
Used to live on the Oak Park side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
40 upvotes
Emmett C.
glad someone said it
34 upvotes
Emilia Patel
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely improving and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
33 upvotes
Julian W.
not my experience at all
33 upvotes
cool_evan7
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Good luck with whatever you decide..
28 upvotes
Camila B.
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Meadowbrook area are average. Kids love it here.
24 upvotes
Michael K.
haha yep pretty much
21 upvotes
Genesis Cook
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely average and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
13 upvotes
Sarah
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Mediterranean places. I love the pace of life here.
12 upvotes
Angel Baker
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely decent and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Fairview) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Limited shopping options.
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.
6 upvotes
Jeremiah
thanks for sharing
6 upvotes
Mateo Thompson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 42, moved here 10 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Sunset and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The nightlife situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for couples. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Denver, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K 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.
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