It's a a small town city with about 11,314 people. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. What do you all think? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
10 upvotes
9 Replies
Madelyn Long
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Minneapolis it's tough.
33 upvotes
Nicholas
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 13 years. Moved from Charlotte for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West 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. Limited entertainment options. Far from beaches/mountains. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Landon Nelson
as a local I can confirm
30 upvotes
Jacob M.
I work in government here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is pretty good. No regrets on my end..
23 upvotes
Deborah R.
literally same
9 upvotes
Mackenzie H.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Phoenix it's hit or miss.
9 upvotes
Liam Harris
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 12 years here, that's my honest assessment.
7 upvotes
Clara Reed
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 24, moved here 5 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in East and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Close to major attractions
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The community vibe situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for singles. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Atlanta, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
1 upvotes
Madeline Lee
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Hope this helps!.
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