Hey everyone, It's a a smaller city city with about 40,255 people. The unemployment rate is 7.5%, which is concerning. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. What do you all think? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
28 upvotes
17 Replies
Brielle Lee
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if cultural scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
40 upvotes
Amelia Foster
This.
40 upvotes
Evan Chavez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
32 upvotes
Brenda R.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
31 upvotes
Zoe W.
I've lived in East for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The cultural scene scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
28 upvotes
stllover2022
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Meadowbrook. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in retail. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Definitely worth checking out..
27 upvotes
Samuel Gonzalez
Moved here from Baltimore about 10 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to dating scene but Happy to answer more specific questions..
25 upvotes
Amy G.
+1
25 upvotes
indypapa2021
glad someone said it
24 upvotes
desert_alexa63
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Feel free to reach out with questions..
23 upvotes
Alice Harris
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much developing but now it's tough.
18 upvotes
Betty C.
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in The Heights area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
9 upvotes
Michael G.
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
8 upvotes
Mason C.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
5 upvotes
Theodore K.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 40, moved here 10 years ago from LA. I've lived in East and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Affordable housing options
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. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The public transit situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for couples. excellent vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K 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.
5 upvotes
Landon Green
haha yep pretty much
4 upvotes
Hannah
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 4 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are wild, gas is underrated.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Definitely worth checking out..
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