Longtime lurker here, I relocated for work and The unemployment rate is 2.6%, which is pretty low. With a population of 76,945, Woodbury is a smaller city. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
18 upvotes
25 Replies
Josiah
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The school system is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
37 upvotes
Declan Morgan
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely improving and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
32 upvotes
Christian Hernandez
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
31 upvotes
Abigail D.
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Old Town area are excellent. Kids love it here.
30 upvotes
Eleanor M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in The Heights. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in education. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Nevaeh
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 1 years. Moved from LA for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is solid - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview schools are improving. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Urban sprawl is real. Dating scene is rough. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Evan Robinson
I've lived in Lakewood for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Active local events and festivals
- The cultural scene scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
25 upvotes
Julian
interesting, hadn't considered that
22 upvotes
Arianna Ortiz
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
17 upvotes
Jayden Moore
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The nightlife is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
17 upvotes
Madelyn Baker
been saying this for years
16 upvotes
Evan Ruiz
glad someone said it
16 upvotes
Leo Ruiz
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
12 upvotes
Maverick J.
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
11 upvotes
Emma T.
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great BBQ places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
11 upvotes
Jace Hall
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The pet-friendliness is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
8 upvotes
Dylan R.
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. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
7 upvotes
Ian Morgan
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Pine Hills. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in tech. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Thai.
No regrets on my end..
7 upvotes
Avery R.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if traffic matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
6 upvotes
Aaron Baker
+1
5 upvotes
Grace Price
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 39, moved here 14 years ago from LA. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Property taxes are high
3. The outdoor recreation situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for young professionals. underrated 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 LA, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
4 upvotes
Claire Roberts
lol so true
3 upvotes
Stella M.
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The pet-friendliness is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
3 upvotes
Kennedy T.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 50, moved here 13 years ago from LA. I've lived in The Heights and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The healthcare situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for families. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K 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.
2 upvotes
Luna Young
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is cost of living. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
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