Hi all, I relocated for work and It's a a smaller city city with about 30,526 people. Poverty rate is 3.8%, which is pretty low. Homes are going for about $2,000,001 on average. The median home value here is around $2,000,001, which is pretty steep. Rent is about $2,643/month for a decent place. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
Pros:
- Nice parks and trails
- Low taxes
- Easy commute
- Good airport connections
Cons:
- Traffic can be terrible
- Cold winters
- Rising rent prices
- Limited dining options
The weather takes some getting used to. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
12 upvotes
30 Replies
Thomas
interesting, hadn't considered that
40 upvotes
Ian Peterson
underrated comment
35 upvotes
Aurora Scott
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great seafood places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
33 upvotes
Susan D.
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Sunset area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
33 upvotes
Caleb King
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
32 upvotes
Bennett
this is the way
29 upvotes
Charlotte Garcia
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Christopher W.
couldn't agree more
26 upvotes
Sarah F.
I work in retail here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is excellent. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
25 upvotes
Eva Jones
hard disagree but ok
23 upvotes
Mason Reyes
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 30, moved here 12 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Downtown and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The walkability situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for singles. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 San Diego, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
23 upvotes
Nova Garcia
hmm interesting perspective
20 upvotes
Luke Lopez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is community vibe. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
19 upvotes
Sadie Nelson
interesting, hadn't considered that
19 upvotes
Aria Garcia
Saving this thread
17 upvotes
Cheryl M.
Came here for retirement and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The nightlife is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
17 upvotes
Mackenzie Diaz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 44, moved here 3 years ago from LA. I've lived in Springfield and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The community vibe situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 LA, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
15 upvotes
Nova S.
I've lived in East for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The walkability scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Good luck with whatever you decide..
11 upvotes
Jace Hughes
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
10 upvotes
Aaron C.
Bought a house here in 2019 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
8 upvotes
Jeremiah Davis
seconding this
7 upvotes
Olivia Thompson
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in North area are decent. Kids love it here.
5 upvotes
Brooklyn
hmm interesting perspective
5 upvotes
Connor Jones
hmm interesting perspective
4 upvotes
Michael E.
accurate
3 upvotes
kcsoul2023
Used to live on the Midtown side, now on the Downtown side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
2 upvotes
Nicholas R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 9 years. Moved from Nashville for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have state parks 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 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Limited entertainment options. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
2 upvotes
Carter P.
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
2 upvotes
Carter Evans
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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