My partner and I are Homes are going for about $660,300 on average. Poverty rate is 9.6%, which is pretty low. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Would love some local perspective. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
2 upvotes
15 Replies
Everett Evans
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Fairview. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Korean.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
39 upvotes
Kyle C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 15 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
36 upvotes
Aria P.
I work in consulting here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Good luck with whatever you decide..
34 upvotes
olivia_native
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Atlanta about 10 years ago. The main reasons were family and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are manageable, gas is solid.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Good luck with whatever you decide..
33 upvotes
Matthew Evans
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 54, moved here 6 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Old Town and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The cost of living situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for couples. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K 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.
27 upvotes
Jordan Ross
spot on
25 upvotes
Luna Long
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. No regrets on my end..
16 upvotes
Mason Bennett
bump
11 upvotes
Maya Cox
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Houston about 8 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Active local events and festivals
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are manageable, gas is tough.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
8 upvotes
Jacob Hughes
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 12 years. Moved from Atlanta for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
consulting is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have rivers 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 surprisingly good. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Property taxes are high. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
Claire Martinez
yeah no that's not right
8 upvotes
Gloria C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Phoenix about 9 years ago. The main reasons were family and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Decent public transit for the size
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are competitive, gas is decent.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
7 upvotes
Maverick White
I'm a social worker and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
4 upvotes
Marie G.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 12 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
3 upvotes
Camila Kim
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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