Crime rate is something to consider -Chelsea sits at 666.7 per 100K. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Cheers. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
16 upvotes
12 Replies
dallas_jayden
I'm a nurse and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
39 upvotes
Zoey Wright
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in East. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in construction. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
39 upvotes
luke_fan
Used to live on the Westside side, now on the Cedar Grove side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
39 upvotes
Julian
great question, following
29 upvotes
Ariana Hill
I've lived in Eastside for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
- The public transit scene is improving
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. No regrets on my end..
28 upvotes
Camila L.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 28, moved here 3 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in South and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The cultural scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for remote workers. hit or miss 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 San Diego, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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
Paisley Evans
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely decent and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Highland) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
20 upvotes
Ryan Lewis
I've lived in North for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. 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 nightlife scene is improving
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Feel free to reach out with questions..
19 upvotes
Andrew K.
seconding this
18 upvotes
Mason Garcia
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 38, moved here 3 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Springfield and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The food scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for couples. tough vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Miami, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
16 upvotes
Chloe Ross
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Highland. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in government. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
15 upvotes
Kelly M.
Moved here from Nashville about 14 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to community vibe but Definitely worth checking out..
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