Anyone else feel this way? I'm retired and Median household income is $143,856, which feels pretty solid for the area. Homes are going for about $622,100 on average. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to. What would you do? There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
2 upvotes
15 Replies
Sebastian
facts
40 upvotes
Adrian B.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Seattle about 15 years ago. The main reasons were school and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Affordable housing options
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are stable, gas is solid.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Good luck with whatever you decide..
37 upvotes
Joshua M.
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
37 upvotes
Zoey G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Lakewood. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in consulting. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
32 upvotes
Eli Murphy
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 38, moved here 12 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in West and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The nightlife situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for couples. underrated 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 Seattle, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K 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.
29 upvotes
true_brielle73
The food scene here is average. Tons of great craft beer places. it's been a really good experience overall.
26 upvotes
Maya Hughes
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Sunset. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in government. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
23 upvotes
Sophia Myers
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
21 upvotes
Harper S.
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Springfield area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
19 upvotes
Serenity Anderson
yep
18 upvotes
Benjamin
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 3 years. Moved from New York for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. Sunset schools are average. 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. Limited high-paying job options. Far from beaches/mountains. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Stella Cruz
I work in government here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is excellent. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
11 upvotes
Vivian P.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 14 years. Moved from Denver for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have desert landscapes 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 tough. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Limited shopping options. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes
Jayden Flores
it depends on the neighborhood
2 upvotes
John H.
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. job market used to be much wild but now it's challenging.
All Countries
