Poverty rate is 5.1%, which is pretty low. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Any advice would be great. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
14 upvotes
14 Replies
Michael Lopez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 12 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. construction 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:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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 challenging. 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. Nightlife is limited. Limited high-paying job options. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Elizabeth
following this thread
29 upvotes
Ava Cruz
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from San Francisco about 8 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Nice parks and green spaces
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are affordable, gas is solid.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
29 upvotes
Sarah C.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
28 upvotes
Ann P.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Highland. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
27 upvotes
Kaylee Gomez
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Westside area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
24 upvotes
Delilah Brooks
not my experience at all
23 upvotes
Dominic N.
been saying this for years
21 upvotes
Evelyn T.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 8 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
15 upvotes
Naomi Edwards
following this thread
11 upvotes
Avery Torres
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
9 upvotes
Ezekiel Watson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 5 years. Moved from New York for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is decent - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are challenging. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. Limited entertainment options. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
Olivia Sanchez
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The nightlife is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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