First post here. I'm a 32-year-old firefighter and The unemployment rate is 6.1%, which is concerning. Rent is about $2,044/month for a decent place. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Should I be concerned? TIA! Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
13 upvotes
13 Replies
Isaiah F.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Springfield. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in engineering. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Hope this helps!.
36 upvotes
Logan Mendoza
100%
33 upvotes
Aiden M.
spot on
31 upvotes
Jonathan Miller
Moved here from Austin about 3 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to dating scene but Definitely worth checking out..
30 upvotes
Paisley
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 14 years. Moved from Charlotte for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is tough - we have desert landscapes 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 solid. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Homeless population growing downtown. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Axel Hernandez
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
29 upvotes
Leo Johnson
Bought a house here in 2022 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
25 upvotes
Parker S.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 12 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
24 upvotes
Paisley G.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Austin about 7 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good airport with direct flights
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are wild, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. No regrets on my end..
20 upvotes
Autumn Carter
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
12 upvotes
Noah M.
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
7 upvotes
mesa_stella
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The safety is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
6 upvotes
Rylee Cook
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Baltimore about 13 years ago. The main reasons were family and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are competitive, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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