Hey everyone, I'm a college student here and Median household income is $87,123, which feels pretty solid for the area. Homes are going for about $257,300 on average. Rent is about $1,203/month for a decent place. It's a a small town city with about 20,592 people. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Am I overthinking this? Any help is appreciated. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The weather takes some getting used to. The weather takes some getting used to. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
4 upvotes
14 Replies
Nora Long
wish I knew this sooner
40 upvotes
Mason Rivera
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely pretty good and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (South) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
36 upvotes
Brenda D.
Bought a house here in 2021 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
35 upvotes
Leah Evans
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Korean places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
32 upvotes
Josiah Hill
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Old Town. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in retail. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Hope this helps!.
25 upvotes
Joshua Lopez
thanks for sharing
23 upvotes
Amelia 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 15 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. tech 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:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have ski resorts 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 better than expected. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Chain restaurants dominate. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
henry_local
I work in finance here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is average. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
19 upvotes
Elena Robinson
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Sunset area are average. Kids love it here.
14 upvotes
Benjamin Green
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 37, moved here 15 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Highland and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The safety situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for singles. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Seattle, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
12 upvotes
Ariana
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
11 upvotes
Michael Parker
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
9 upvotes
Jackson Jones
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Midtown. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in legal. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Definitely worth checking out..
3 upvotes
Lillian Cox
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 26, moved here 12 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Fairview and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Can feel isolated
3. The public transit situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for couples. tough vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Miami, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K 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.
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