Longtime lurker here, Just moved here 1 months ago and Average temperature is around 47--F, so expect cold winters. Homes are going for about $119,400 on average. It's a a small town city with about 5,157 people. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Any advice would be great. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
10 upvotes
9 Replies
Barbara M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from San Diego about 1 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Nightlife is limited
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are developing, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
38 upvotes
Jace Long
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely better than expected and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene 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.
31 upvotes
Ryan Young
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 12 years. Moved from Baltimore for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - 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. East schools are average. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Dating scene is rough. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Santiago
seconding this
27 upvotes
Austin R.
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is public transit. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
26 upvotes
Jaxon Ross
underrated comment
22 upvotes
Aurora Morris
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Seattle 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 Pine Hills. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in construction. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
20 upvotes
Luke Carter
I'm a pharmacist and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
18 upvotes
Liam S.
I've lived in East for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Decent public transit for the size
- The dating scene scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Summers can be brutally hot
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. Feel free to reach out with questions..
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