I'm a college student here and Rent is about $908/month for a decent place. The median home value here is around $248,100, which is actually reasonable. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. What would you do? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
15 upvotes
6 Replies
Hazel N.
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The cost of living is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
37 upvotes
Allison Martin
underrated comment
23 upvotes
Luca Carter
Came here for work and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The healthcare is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
17 upvotes
Chloe Adams
Moved here last year, no regrets.
14 upvotes
Delilah M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 43, moved here 13 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Lakewood and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The outdoor recreation situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for couples. pretty 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 Chicago, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
6 upvotes
Nora
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Atlanta about 6 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of new development happening
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Rising rent and home prices
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are manageable, gas is underrated.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Happy to answer more specific questions..
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