Hi all, Born and raised here. Median household income is $126,307, which feels pretty solid for the area. Homes are going for about $326,400 on average. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The weather takes some getting used to. Let me know your thoughts. The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
9 upvotes
14 Replies
Camila Moore
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great farm-to-table places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
37 upvotes
David Parker
haha yep pretty much
36 upvotes
Nora C.
as a local I can confirm
36 upvotes
true_ryan40
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to Pittsburgh it's excellent.
35 upvotes
Adeline B.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 8 years. Moved from Austin for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are hit or miss. 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. Limited entertainment options. Far from beaches/mountains. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Robert Davis
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
31 upvotes
Declan L.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
21 upvotes
Jace M.
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The traffic is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
20 upvotes
Austin Howard
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in East. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in finance. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
20 upvotes
Arianna J.
preach
19 upvotes
jaxrider2024
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
16 upvotes
Hazel Carter
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from LA about 6 years ago. The main reasons were school and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are stable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
14 upvotes
Clara Evans
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 1 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
9 upvotes
Dominic Mendoza
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Riverside. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in engineering. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
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