I'm a teacher here and The unemployment rate is 1.7%, which is pretty low. Rent is about $1,410/month for a decent place. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Does this match your experience? It's not perfect, but the community is solid. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The weather takes some getting used to. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
1 upvotes
26 Replies
Peyton Foster
big facts right here
38 upvotes
Miles Peterson
interesting, hadn't considered that
37 upvotes
Ellie Patel
Saving this thread
36 upvotes
Matthew L.
hard disagree but ok
33 upvotes
Ezra J.
lol so true
32 upvotes
Emily
been saying this for years
32 upvotes
Xavier
not my experience at all
32 upvotes
Axel Gomez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely solid and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Eastside) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
31 upvotes
Nolan Campbell
Used to live on the Eastside side, now on the Sunset side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
31 upvotes
Joseph
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Boston about 10 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Decent public transit for the size
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are reasonable, gas is underrated.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
30 upvotes
Quinn S.
spot on
30 upvotes
Gabriella Young
interesting, hadn't considered that
29 upvotes
Daniel T.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 29, moved here 6 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in East and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Property taxes are high
3. The public transit situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Dallas, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K 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.
28 upvotes
Abigail Morgan
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 50, moved here 8 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Springfield and Riverside, 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 hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Bugs and humidity in summer
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The safety situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for retirees. average vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Atlanta, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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
Wesley S.
great question, following
21 upvotes
Everett Sanders
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 7 years. Moved from Minneapolis for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2018 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. healthcare 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is average - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Road conditions need improvement. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
Cameron H.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 7 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
20 upvotes
Thomas Martinez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Denver about 8 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Lots of new development happening
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Rising rent and home prices
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are wild, gas is improving.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
20 upvotes
Lydia Sanchez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 41, moved here 15 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Highland 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. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited shopping options
3. The cost of living situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for retirees. tough 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
19 upvotes
Christian
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in South area are solid. Kids love it here.
14 upvotes
Gerald L.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
11 upvotes
Mason Watson
I'm a sales manager and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
11 upvotes
Stella Thompson
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the Westside side. Completely different vibe. it was the best decision I ever made.
9 upvotes
Christian Gonzalez
I'm a teacher and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
5 upvotes
Samuel
same here
4 upvotes
columbuswalker2021
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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