So, The unemployment rate is 3.2%, which is pretty low. The city has invested a lot in new development. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Any help is appreciated. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
14 upvotes
15 Replies
Aaron Reyes
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Lakewood area are decent. Kids love it here.
40 upvotes
Michael R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 44, moved here 14 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Riverside and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The walkability situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for families. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Tampa, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $90K-$110K 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.
36 upvotes
Eli C.
I'm a social worker and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
31 upvotes
Gabriel M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Meadowbrook. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in tech. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
28 upvotes
Grace Ramos
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Tampa 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 Springfield. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like sushi.
No regrets on my end..
27 upvotes
Isaiah Brooks
glad someone said it
24 upvotes
sacramentofan2025
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
24 upvotes
Emilia Edwards
I've lived in Midtown for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Strong job market in several industries
- The outdoor recreation scene is average
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
20 upvotes
Joshua R.
honestly same experience here
20 upvotes
seattle_sebastian
This.
16 upvotes
Joshua Patel
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to LA it's surprisingly good.
7 upvotes
Marilyn C.
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
7 upvotes
Reagan Alvarez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 45, moved here 3 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in The Heights and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The safety situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for families. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K 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.
3 upvotes
Aiden Garcia
honestly same experience here
1 upvotes
Lucas
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Denver about 2 years ago. The main reasons were family and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Lots of new development happening
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are developing, gas is excellent.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
All Countries
