Hi all, I'm single, late 20s, and Rent is about $1,132/month for a decent place. The median home value here is around $242,600, which is actually reasonable. Poverty rate is 8.0%, which is pretty low. Average temperature is around 51--F, so expect cold winters. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Am I overthinking this? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
2 upvotes
12 Replies
Nevaeh Williams
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Old Town. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in consulting. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Definitely worth checking out..
39 upvotes
Kayden Walker
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely improving and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Sunset) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
34 upvotes
sunny_kai63
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
29 upvotes
Ruby Lee
great question, following
29 upvotes
Liam Flores
100%
23 upvotes
Logan M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 6 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into running, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland 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..
13 upvotes
Bennett Phillips
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Sunset. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in marketing. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
9 upvotes
Wesley Hughes
big facts right here
9 upvotes
Cooper Morris
exactly what I was thinking
5 upvotes
Alexa Bailey
yeah no that's not right
3 upvotes
Allison M.
following this thread
2 upvotes
Kelly S.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Good luck with whatever you decide..
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