OK so Rent is about $966/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 3.3%, which is pretty low. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The city has invested a lot in new development.
8 upvotes
26 Replies
Dominic Reyes
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The weather is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
39 upvotes
Zoey Adams
underrated comment
38 upvotes
Ryan W.
facts
32 upvotes
alexander_vibes
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
30 upvotes
happy_john40
facts
26 upvotes
Vivian Thomas
Moved here from New York about 4 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to cultural scene but Happy to answer more specific questions..
26 upvotes
Jack Murphy
I've lived in South for about 12 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 Raleigh, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The food scene scene is tough
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
25 upvotes
Kai Parker
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
24 upvotes
Ethan Carter
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 13 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
24 upvotes
Parker Nguyen
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is dating scene. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Asher Torres
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Definitely worth checking out..
23 upvotes
Emma G.
underrated comment
19 upvotes
Benjamin Carter
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Riverside. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Hope this helps!.
19 upvotes
Jason M.
Moved here from San Diego about 2 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to job market but Feel free to reach out with questions..
19 upvotes
Reagan Gutierrez
not my experience at all
16 upvotes
Anthony M.
as a local I can confirm
16 upvotes
Mateo Peterson
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Uptown area are tough. Kids love it here.
14 upvotes
Jaxon Kim
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is dating scene. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
14 upvotes
Leo Johnson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 31, moved here 7 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Springfield and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The walkability situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for singles. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
12 upvotes
Emily Clark
I'm a nurse and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
10 upvotes
Oliver Smith
nah I disagree
8 upvotes
Camila
Totally agree!
8 upvotes
true_aiden80
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 8 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
6 upvotes
Paisley M.
I work in hospitality here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Happy to answer more specific questions..
5 upvotes
Oliver
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 13 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
4 upvotes
Joseph Ross
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from San Diego about 6 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are manageable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Hope this helps!.
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