Hello, Homes are going for about $275,400 on average.
12 upvotes
15 Replies
Katherine Ortiz
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Highland. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in legal. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
38 upvotes
Dominic Wood
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 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 4-bed in Uptown. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in legal. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
28 upvotes
Sophia Evans
Moved here from Baltimore about 9 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to nightlife but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
25 upvotes
Brooklyn Taylor
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Highland. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
No regrets on my end..
23 upvotes
mountain_lillian76
hmm interesting perspective
22 upvotes
Daniel
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 37, moved here 2 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Downtown and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Can feel isolated
3. The healthcare situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for singles. challenging 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 San Francisco, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K 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.
21 upvotes
Xavier Lewis
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely improving and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Uptown) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
20 upvotes
Everly Price
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 10 years. Moved from Boston for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is tough - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown schools are underrated. 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 very walkable outside downtown. Bugs and humidity in summer. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Adam Adams
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 15 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
16 upvotes
Angel Lopez
exactly what I was thinking
15 upvotes
Isabella J.
Totally agree!
15 upvotes
Dominic
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
8 upvotes
Madelyn Watson
100%
4 upvotes
Gianna L.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
4 upvotes
Brooks H.
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.