First post here. Median household income is $58,096, which feels about average for the area. Average temperature is around 45--F, so bundle up in winter. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Would love some local perspective.
4 upvotes
26 Replies
Isabella Price
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Austin about 14 years ago. The main reasons were school and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are affordable, gas is challenging.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
39 upvotes
William Torres
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
37 upvotes
Jackson F.
thanks for sharing
36 upvotes
Aaliyah N.
Came here for weather and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The community vibe is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
33 upvotes
Nolan S.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Chicago about 2 years ago. The main reasons were weather and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Active local events and festivals
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are manageable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Definitely worth checking out..
33 upvotes
Audrey Robinson
honestly same experience here
25 upvotes
dallasrunner2025
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Highland area are challenging. Kids love it here.
25 upvotes
Zoe Garcia
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
25 upvotes
Kai Flores
I've lived in South for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Active local events and festivals
- The cultural scene scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. No regrets on my end..
22 upvotes
Anna Hall
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Old Town. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in tech. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
22 upvotes
Lydia Baker
been saying this for years
21 upvotes
Mateo Martin
The food scene here is average. Tons of great Thai places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
19 upvotes
Joseph Gonzalez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to Miami it's decent.
19 upvotes
Hazel Adams
Came here for work and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The traffic is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
13 upvotes
Brooklyn Martin
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
12 upvotes
Mackenzie Collins
Can confirm, been here 12 years.
11 upvotes
Diane H.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Fairview. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in marketing. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Korean.
No regrets on my end..
11 upvotes
living_nevaeh42
I've lived in Eastside for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong job market in several industries
- The cost of living scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Definitely worth checking out..
8 upvotes
Madeline M.
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
8 upvotes
Caroline Davis
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much growing but now it's decent.
8 upvotes
Jace F.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 49, moved here 13 years ago from Boston. I've lived in East and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The safety situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for retirees. decent 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 Boston, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
7 upvotes
rylee_mama
Used to live on the Lakewood side, now on the Old Town side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
4 upvotes
Christian Hughes
seconding this
3 upvotes
Amelia A.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Pine Hills. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in real estate. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
1 upvotes
Michael S.
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The nightlife is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
1 upvotes
Kai Edwards
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 30, moved here 15 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Westside and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The safety situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for retirees. solid vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K 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.
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