Just moved here 3 months ago and Average temperature is around 50--F, so expect cold winters. Median household income is $65,533, which feels about average for the area. You can expect to pay around $745 for rent here. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cheers. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The suburbs are where most families end up. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
5 upvotes
7 Replies
Grace Rodriguez
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
34 upvotes
Oliver Stewart
good to know, thanks
32 upvotes
Aria Lee
nah I disagree
31 upvotes
austin_evelyn
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 51, moved here 3 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Downtown and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The traffic situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for couples. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Francisco, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K 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.
21 upvotes
Leah Nelson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 2 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
11 upvotes
Easton Hughes
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
9 upvotes
Quinn Gomez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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