So, I'm originally from St. Louis and The unemployment rate is 4.5%, which is about average. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Anyone in a similar situation? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
3 upvotes
14 Replies
Claire Kim
Totally agree!
40 upvotes
Hailey M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Cedar Grove. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
40 upvotes
Violet Price
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely tough and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Limited shopping options.
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.
37 upvotes
Ashley A.
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is walkability. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Victoria Lee
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
28 upvotes
Harper Reed
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 5 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the North side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
22 upvotes
Elizabeth S.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 7 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
19 upvotes
Charlotte Cox
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Happy to answer more specific questions..
18 upvotes
Angel Garcia
noted, appreciate it
13 upvotes
Kimberly H.
same here
11 upvotes
Stella T.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 10 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are stable, gas is solid.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
10 upvotes
kaylee_kid
Came here for family and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The cost of living is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
9 upvotes
Aaron Mitchell
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 10 years. Moved from Chicago for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Dating scene is rough. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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