Curious what people think. It's a a small town city with about 2,408 people. Crime rate is something to consider -Benton sits at 69.1 per 100K. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
2 upvotes
10 Replies
Cora W.
lol so true
40 upvotes
Josiah
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Westside. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in retail. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Definitely worth checking out..
38 upvotes
Caroline Stewart
preach
30 upvotes
Angel Thomas
seconding this
28 upvotes
Connor Murphy
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 49, moved here 11 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Pine Hills and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Close to major attractions
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The food scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
27 upvotes
Lucas Thomas
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Charlotte about 10 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Strong job market in several industries
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are growing, gas is average.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
22 upvotes
Stella S.
this is the way
8 upvotes
Bella Howard
Bought a house here in 2019 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
8 upvotes
Justin J.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely solid and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
1 upvotes
Adam Hall
Bought a house here in 2015 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
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