Been meaning to ask this. The median home value here is around $2,000,001, which is pretty steep. The weather takes some getting used to. What would you do?
30 upvotes
25 Replies
Ethan Cruz
yep
39 upvotes
Everly J.
Public transit is solid here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
38 upvotes
Ava Lopez
spot on
37 upvotes
Parker
hmm interesting perspective
36 upvotes
Brielle Wright
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Portland about 12 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are growing, gas is improving.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
34 upvotes
Harper C.
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Lakewood area are average. Kids love it here.
33 upvotes
Oliver Gray
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 13 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up a bit 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:**
hospitality is strong here. finance 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 have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is average - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown 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. Limited public transit options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Piper Richardson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 8 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Bennett Cruz
yep
23 upvotes
nashville_isabelle
following this thread
21 upvotes
Noah Morales
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much reasonable but now it's hit or miss.
21 upvotes
jaxgirl2026
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from San Diego 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 wild right now, especially in tech. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
No regrets on my end..
20 upvotes
Joseph J.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Springfield) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
19 upvotes
Lillian B.
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 4 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in East and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Close to major attractions
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The cultural scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for singles. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Chicago, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K 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.
15 upvotes
Liam Price
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
14 upvotes
Samuel Gray
exactly what I was thinking
11 upvotes
Addison Ramirez
Saving this thread
10 upvotes
Hannah Torres
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely average and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Springfield) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
9 upvotes
Emma Morgan
I've lived in Old Town for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- The walkability scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. No regrets on my end..
7 upvotes
Nora
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 33, moved here 6 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Old Town and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cost of living situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for families. challenging vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Chicago, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
4 upvotes
Victoria Jimenez
lol so true
3 upvotes
Stella D.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely pretty good and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Old Town) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
2 upvotes
Brielle Harris
I've lived in Cedar Grove for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Active local events and festivals
- The school system scene is decent
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. Definitely worth checking out..
2 upvotes
Asher Stewart
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
1 upvotes
Olivia Ramirez
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much established but now it's tough.
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