Biggest downsides of living in Cottonwood Heights?
Random thought, The unemployment rate is 2.1%, which is pretty low. Median household income is $116,583, which feels pretty solid for the area. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The city has invested a lot in new development. What would you do? Looking forward to hearing from you all. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The weather takes some getting used to.
18 upvotes
25 Replies
Luke P.
100%
40 upvotes
Dominic Lopez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 13 years. Moved from LA for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. 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. Riverside 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Chain restaurants dominate. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Cameron Nelson
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much growing but now it's tough.
39 upvotes
Cameron Murphy
+1
39 upvotes
Caleb Hill
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Meadowbrook. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in education. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
39 upvotes
Jonathan M.
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
38 upvotes
mesa_sophia
same here
34 upvotes
Aria C.
Bought a house here in 2018 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
33 upvotes
Jordan T.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 58, moved here 11 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Sunset and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The pet-friendliness situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for retirees. tough vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Portland, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
33 upvotes
Jonathan B.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Seattle about 10 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are pricey, gas is underrated.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Feel free to reach out with questions..
32 upvotes
Allison Williams
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 7 years. Moved from Chicago for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. legal 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are decent. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Limited shopping options. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Naomi M.
I've lived in Oak Park for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good airport with direct flights
- The food scene scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Luna White
big facts right here
26 upvotes
bella_runner
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Denver about 9 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of new development happening
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are manageable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
24 upvotes
Leo Harris
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 24, moved here 2 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Oak Park and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Can feel isolated
3. The healthcare situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for families. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Dallas, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K 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.
20 upvotes
Jeremiah Sanchez
seconding this
20 upvotes
Jonathan Murphy
hmm interesting perspective
16 upvotes
Ezekiel Evans
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is decent in most areas.
15 upvotes
Lydia Morris
following this thread
15 upvotes
Hannah W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Westside. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in tech. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
11 upvotes
Jonathan M.
spot on
10 upvotes
Aiden P.
Came here for school and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The job market is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
7 upvotes
cincygirl2021
same here
5 upvotes
Rylee Clark
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 11 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
1 upvotes
Kai Phillips
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 3 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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