Hi all, Poverty rate is 2.7%, which is pretty low. Homes are going for about $2,000,001 on average. Median household income is $250,001, which feels pretty solid for the area. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. What do you all think? The suburbs are where most families end up. The food scene here is surprisingly good. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
9 upvotes
14 Replies
Daniel Brooks
facts
39 upvotes
Everly
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 9 years. Moved from Denver for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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. Downtown schools are better than expected. 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. Limited public transit options. Chain restaurants dominate. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Addison Kelly
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Lakewood. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in consulting. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Hope this helps!.
32 upvotes
Austin Gutierrez
Can confirm, been here 14 years.
31 upvotes
Anna Gutierrez
Moved here from LA about 15 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
22 upvotes
seattle_sebastian
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely tough and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Eastside) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Homeless population growing downtown.
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.
15 upvotes
Elijah Jackson
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 Dallas for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. retail 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:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is average - we have ski resorts 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 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. Dating scene is rough. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Ezra Evans
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in The Heights. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in retail. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
11 upvotes
Sadie Torres
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is underrated in most areas.
11 upvotes
Paisley Bailey
as a local I can confirm
9 upvotes
Chloe Ward
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Austin about 12 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are established, gas is solid.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Good luck with whatever you decide..
6 upvotes
Wesley Taylor
lol so true
5 upvotes
Eliana Hall
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 3 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into running, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
4 upvotes
Leo Price
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 24, moved here 10 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Old Town and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Decent public transit for the size
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. Can feel isolated
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The pet-friendliness situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Houston, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
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