Military spouse here. Poverty rate is 6.5%, which is pretty low. Rent is about $732/month for a decent place. It's a a small town city with about 1,275 people. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Thanks for reading. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The food scene here is surprisingly good. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
15 upvotes
14 Replies
Autumn Scott
Bought a house here in 2021 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
39 upvotes
jacob_guy
I'm a nurse and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is average and there's always something going on.
36 upvotes
Jonathan B.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
32 upvotes
Madelyn Mendoza
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
27 upvotes
George T.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Chicago about 8 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Close to major attractions
- Diverse dining options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are wild, gas is solid.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Feel free to reach out with questions..
21 upvotes
Roman Lee
seconding this
20 upvotes
Santiago Ramirez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is traffic. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
18 upvotes
Julian Gomez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 57, moved here 5 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Lakewood and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The cultural scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for couples. average 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 Denver, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K 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.
13 upvotes
Lillian Foster
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 33, moved here 13 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Midtown and Springfield, 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. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The dating scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for young professionals. decent vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Dallas, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
10 upvotes
Vivian Wilson
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Feel free to reach out with questions..
8 upvotes
Jean W.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
7 upvotes
raised_addison76
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
6 upvotes
Evan Hughes
Came here for work and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The public transit is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
1 upvotes
ellie_girl
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
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