Curious what people think. My partner and I are Median household income is $159,932, which feels pretty solid for the area. The median home value here is around $615,400, which is pretty steep. You can expect to pay around $2,360 for rent here. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to.
15 upvotes
10 Replies
Silas J.
yep
37 upvotes
Avery G.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 7 years. Moved from Baltimore for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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 improving. 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. Winters are long and cold. Limited entertainment options. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Clara G.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 11 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2018 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:**
engineering is strong here. healthcare 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 was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are challenging. 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. Road conditions need improvement. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Jaxon K.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Phoenix about 2 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good internet infrastructure
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are reasonable, gas is solid.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Happy to answer more specific questions..
14 upvotes
lake_serenity17
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Raleigh about 3 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are growing, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Definitely worth checking out..
13 upvotes
Cooper Wood
good to know, thanks
6 upvotes
Alexa James
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
4 upvotes
Levi P.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Tampa about 12 years ago. The main reasons were weather and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are established, gas is improving.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
2 upvotes
Aurora Ortiz
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Maple Ridge. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
1 upvotes
Aaron M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in The Heights. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like seafood.
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