Hello, Been living here since 2013. Homes are going for about $791,800 on average. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Thoughts? The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
4 upvotes
15 Replies
Nathan Bennett
seconding this
39 upvotes
Peyton Carter
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely underrated and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (West) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
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.
38 upvotes
Vivian M.
nah I disagree
37 upvotes
Everly Stewart
This.
35 upvotes
Elena Miller
This.
33 upvotes
leo_kid
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much wild but now it's better than expected.
27 upvotes
Jayden
I'm a teacher and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
26 upvotes
Wyatt Young
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
26 upvotes
Ann G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in East. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in government. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Definitely worth checking out..
20 upvotes
Dylan C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 45, moved here 15 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in The Heights and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The dating scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for remote workers. tough vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
18 upvotes
Silas Hall
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 33, moved here 13 years ago from LA. I've lived in Springfield and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The safety situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for families. pretty 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 LA, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is stable. 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.
18 upvotes
Santiago Ward
nah I disagree
18 upvotes
Jonathan James
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 45, moved here 8 years ago from Denver. I've lived in North and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The housing market situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for retirees. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Denver, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
17 upvotes
Linda L.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 7 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
3 upvotes
James M.
Moved here from Salt Lake City about 8 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to outdoor recreation but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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