Longtime lurker here, I'm a teacher here and The median home value here is around $274,300, which seems about average. Rent is about $1,627/month for a decent place. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Would love some local perspective. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The city has invested a lot in new development. The city has invested a lot in new development. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The city has invested a lot in new development. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
2 upvotes
3 Replies
Matthew Mitchell
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 27, moved here 12 years ago from LA. I've lived in Westside and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Affordable housing 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 high-paying job options
2. Property taxes are high
3. The job market situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for singles. average vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 LA, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K 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.
30 upvotes
Nolan D.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 11 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
27 upvotes
Aaron Williams
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much established but now it's decent.
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