Been meaning to ask this. We're a young couple and Rent is about $1,048/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 1.0%, which is pretty low. It's a a small town city with about 12,298 people. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The suburbs are where most families end up. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
1 upvotes
13 Replies
Christopher G.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Tampa about 7 years ago. The main reasons were weather and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Four distinct seasons
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are reasonable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
36 upvotes
mason_guy
Came here for school and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The traffic is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
36 upvotes
Adam Wilson
thanks for sharing
33 upvotes
Lillian Wright
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 51, moved here 12 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Downtown and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The food scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for couples. decent vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$100K 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.
29 upvotes
Maya J.
Came here for weather and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The pet-friendliness is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
29 upvotes
Elijah
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Riverside. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
27 upvotes
Melanie R.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to Salt Lake City it's decent.
23 upvotes
Ethan R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 46, moved here 3 years ago from New York. I've lived in Uptown and Midtown, 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. Nice parks and green spaces
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for couples. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 New York, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$90K 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.
18 upvotes
living_addison29
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much established but now it's pretty good.
14 upvotes
Everly Hill
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 50, moved here 3 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Cedar Grove and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Summers can be brutally hot
3. The weather situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Phoenix, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
13 upvotes
Sadie Hernandez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
12 upvotes
Paisley Evans
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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