Hello, We're a young couple and Average temperature is around 53--F, so expect cold winters. Homes are going for about $261,200 on average. Rent is about $1,410/month for a decent place. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. What would you do? Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
5 upvotes
15 Replies
Lily N.
Used to live on the Riverside side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
39 upvotes
Gabriella Sanchez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 8 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
33 upvotes
atl_john
wish I knew this sooner
31 upvotes
Samuel T.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 37, moved here 5 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Pine Hills and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Four distinct seasons
2. Close to major attractions
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The housing market situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for couples. solid vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Houston, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K 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.
30 upvotes
Caroline H.
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much reasonable but now it's hit or miss.
26 upvotes
sd_amelia
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely improving and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Springfield) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
22 upvotes
brielle_chef
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 25, moved here 3 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Westside and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The weather situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for young professionals. average vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K 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.
20 upvotes
Adam L.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 56, moved here 6 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in The Heights and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The food scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for families. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 San Francisco, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
20 upvotes
Hunter Taylor
I work in government here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is challenging. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
18 upvotes
Hunter Gutierrez
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much competitive but now it's pretty good.
15 upvotes
Roman Collins
I work in engineering here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is solid. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
15 upvotes
Daniel W.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is underrated in most areas.
14 upvotes
Chloe S.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
14 upvotes
Riley
haha yep pretty much
10 upvotes
Madeline W.
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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