Alright, The median home value here is around $110,200, which is actually reasonable. Poverty rate is 18.7%, which is higher than I expected. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Any advice would be great.
10 upvotes
9 Replies
Naomi Kelly
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 6 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
37 upvotes
Lily Garcia
Came here for work and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The school system is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
31 upvotes
Cora Kelly
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
27 upvotes
Aaron B.
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much established but now it's surprisingly good.
27 upvotes
Bennett Evans
big facts right here
23 upvotes
Audrey Bailey
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 15 years. Moved from Portland for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2018 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:**
finance is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West 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. Rising rent and home prices. Road conditions need improvement. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Roman Carter
same here
21 upvotes
Nora Price
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. public transit used to be much manageable but now it's pretty good.
7 upvotes
Declan Morgan
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..