Anyone else feel this way? Poverty rate is 2.8%, which is pretty low. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. What do you all think? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
2 upvotes
13 Replies
Michael Collins
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 5 years here, that's my honest assessment.
35 upvotes
oakland_cameron
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Lakewood. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in engineering. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
33 upvotes
Debra K.
hmm interesting perspective
31 upvotes
Aaliyah Collins
Saving this thread
31 upvotes
Madelyn
following this thread
27 upvotes
Parker Green
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Italian places. I love the pace of life here.
23 upvotes
Ellie
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great Vietnamese places. it was the best decision I ever made.
19 upvotes
Addison Myers
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 48, moved here 9 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Eastside and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The dating scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Austin, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
14 upvotes
Robert Gray
facts
13 upvotes
Audrey Ramirez
I've lived in Uptown for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The food scene scene is tough
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. Happy to answer more specific questions..
5 upvotes
Connor Young
same here
4 upvotes
Valentina Mitchell
I'm a lawyer and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
4 upvotes
Ruth H.
Came here for quality of life and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The safety is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
All Countries
