Hi all, I'm a nurse at the local hospital and Poverty rate is 16.8%, which is higher than I expected. Rent is about $725/month for a decent place. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
15 upvotes
12 Replies
Valentina Johnson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
38 upvotes
Claire J.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 11 years. Moved from Denver for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. East schools are surprisingly good. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Rising rent and home prices. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Leo Watson
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
35 upvotes
Maya
exactly what I was thinking
33 upvotes
Eleanor Mitchell
I'm a teacher and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
22 upvotes
Evelyn Clark
I work in engineering here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is decent. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
20 upvotes
Jace Cook
hmm interesting perspective
18 upvotes
nola_andrew
I'm a real estate agent and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
15 upvotes
Jackson Perez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
14 upvotes
Noah L.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 35, moved here 1 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Westside and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The cost of living situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for young professionals. improving 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 Minneapolis, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K 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.
9 upvotes
Abigail S.
Came here for work and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The weather is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
6 upvotes
Logan Wright
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Lakewood. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in consulting. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
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