Hello, I'm a 44-year-old accountant and It's a a small town city with about 5,171 people. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. What would you do? Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to.
7 upvotes
14 Replies
Oliver
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 56, moved here 8 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Eastside and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The community vibe situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for retirees. better than expected 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 Portland, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K 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.
37 upvotes
Bennett
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 13 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
34 upvotes
Jaxon T.
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is cost of living. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
32 upvotes
Sophie C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Westside. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in government. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
No regrets on my end..
31 upvotes
Emma Carter
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Definitely worth checking out..
30 upvotes
Andrew Bailey
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from LA about 4 years ago. The main reasons were school and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Lots of new development happening
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are manageable, gas is improving.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Feel free to reach out with questions..
30 upvotes
Joshua
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 3 years. Moved from Portland for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. real estate 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have mountains 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 underrated. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Limited entertainment options. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Jameson B.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely tough and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Downtown) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation 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.
24 upvotes
Scott W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 12 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
19 upvotes
Luna W.
yeah no that's not right
18 upvotes
Charlotte
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Hope this helps!.
18 upvotes
Delilah Mendoza
yep
16 upvotes
Nicholas Cooper
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 47, moved here 2 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in North and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The school system situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for singles. solid 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 Seattle, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K 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.
10 upvotes
indywalker2020
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely pretty good and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (East) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. school system 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.
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