First post here. Homes are going for about $262,700 on average. Poverty rate is 5.5%, which is pretty low. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Thoughts? The suburbs are where most families end up.
3 upvotes
12 Replies
Evan Foster
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 1 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
35 upvotes
Aaliyah Garcia
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 52, moved here 12 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Riverside and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Can feel isolated
3. The outdoor recreation situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for young professionals. decent vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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
Landon Gray
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Hope this helps!.
30 upvotes
Nova Anderson
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
28 upvotes
Connor Baker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 25, moved here 12 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Lakewood and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Property taxes are high
3. The outdoor recreation situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for couples. decent vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Phoenix, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
26 upvotes
Alexa Cook
I'm a pharmacist and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
20 upvotes
Arianna Thompson
yeah no that's not right
14 upvotes
la_joshua
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Downtown area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
10 upvotes
Sophia E.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
7 upvotes
Austin R.
good to know, thanks
5 upvotes
Noah Carter
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Miami about 7 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are stable, gas is solid.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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