First post here. I grew up here but left for a while. Poverty rate is 30.5%, which is higher than I expected. The city has invested a lot in new development. Would love some local perspective. Looking forward to hearing from you all. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
12 upvotes
5 Replies
Brooklyn Ward
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
40 upvotes
Jaxon Brown
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Eastside. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in legal. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
35 upvotes
Dylan Thomas
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely underrated and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
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.
27 upvotes
William
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 54, moved here 14 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Riverside and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Nice parks and green spaces
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The nightlife situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for couples. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is established. 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.
22 upvotes
Bennett
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Meadowbrook. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in construction. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
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