We're a young couple and Rent is about $1,595/month for a decent place. Homes are going for about $278,200 on average. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
11 upvotes
10 Replies
Addison Foster
underrated comment
40 upvotes
Hailey
spot on
36 upvotes
Everly M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 9 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
32 upvotes
Robert Lopez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely challenging and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Sunset) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
28 upvotes
Allison Myers
bump
24 upvotes
Alexa Chavez
hard disagree but ok
17 upvotes
Piper Adams
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 32, moved here 5 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Riverside and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The safety situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for families. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Seattle, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
11 upvotes
Sophie S.
couldn't agree more
8 upvotes
urban_delilah66
I'm a marketing manager and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
4 upvotes
William H.
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good internet infrastructure
- The traffic scene is average
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Definitely worth checking out..
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