Hey everyone, I'm single, late 50s, and It's a a small town city with about 11,976 people. Crime rate is something to consider -Woodward sits at 254.2 per 100K. Median household income is $60,720, which feels about average for the area. Rent is about $839/month for a decent place. Household incomes average around $60,720 in Woodward. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
Pros:
- Good job market
- Low crime in most areas
- Close to nature
- Lots of new development
- Good airport connections
Cons:
- Hot summers
- Limited dining options
- Poor road conditions
- Mosquitoes and humidity
- Homelessness issues downtown
Looking forward to hearing from you all. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The suburbs are where most families end up. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
11 upvotes
15 Replies
Kennedy Hall
Bought a house here in 2017 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
39 upvotes
Naomi P.
facts
39 upvotes
Katherine
Moved here from Boston about 5 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to public transit but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
37 upvotes
Mateo Roberts
I work in manufacturing here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is improving. Feel free to reach out with questions..
35 upvotes
chicago_melanie
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Tampa about 14 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Active local events and festivals
- Strong sense of community
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Winters are long and cold
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are wild, gas is tough.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Feel free to reach out with questions..
32 upvotes
Easton
Bought a house here in 2016 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone about the same since then.
26 upvotes
Evan
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 56, moved here 3 years ago from Boston. I've lived in East and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Lots of new development happening
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. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The safety situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for retirees. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Boston, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K 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.
22 upvotes
Andrew
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Minneapolis it's excellent.
22 upvotes
Theodore Rodriguez
Used to live on the East side, now on the Riverside side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
15 upvotes
Jacob Hughes
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Lakewood. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in finance. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
12 upvotes
Bella Reed
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 5 years. Moved from San Francisco for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is solid - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are better than expected. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Bugs and humidity in summer. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Parker Martin
Bought a house here in 2016 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
8 upvotes
Emma Morris
exactly what I was thinking
3 upvotes
Isaac S.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely average and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
2 upvotes
Riley
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Oak Park. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Asian.
All Countries
