Born and raised here. Poverty rate is 23.6%, which is higher than I expected. It's a a smaller city city with about 70,105 people. The city has invested a lot in new development. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Am I wrong here? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
10 upvotes
3 Replies
Jose Wright
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 5 years. Moved from Chicago for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2016 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. East schools are decent. 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 high-paying job options. Limited shopping options. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Scarlett M.
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much established but now it's challenging.
28 upvotes
Maya Young
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
All Countries
