Anyone else feel this way? My partner and I are Homes are going for about $465,500 on average. The median home value here is around $465,500, which is pretty steep. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Would love some local perspective. TIA!
23 upvotes
4 Replies
Scarlett Long
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 25, moved here 7 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in West and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The walkability situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for families. surprisingly good 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 Phoenix, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
34 upvotes
Jack
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Highland. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in real estate. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Thai.
All Countries
