Hi all, We have two kids and Average temperature is around 61--F, so the weather is moderate. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The city has invested a lot in new development. Has anyone dealt with this?
20 upvotes
20 Replies
Sebastian Hernandez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 1 years. Moved from Nashville for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. government 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 improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Limited entertainment options. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Joseph Wood
Came here for work and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community vibe is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
39 upvotes
Everly Foster
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 15 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited shopping options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are manageable, gas is challenging.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Good luck with whatever you decide..
39 upvotes
Madeline M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Uptown. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in education. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
37 upvotes
sofia_chef
as a local I can confirm
36 upvotes
Riley Parker
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The walkability is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
35 upvotes
Hailey G.
this is the way
35 upvotes
Jackson Phillips
seconding this
28 upvotes
Carter P.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 12 years. Moved from Raleigh for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. 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 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have desert landscapes 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 challenging. 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. Winters are long and cold. Urban sprawl is real. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Luke Martin
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 28, moved here 11 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The dating scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for families. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Denver, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K 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.
24 upvotes
Josiah N.
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The pet-friendliness is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
21 upvotes
Lillian Watson
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much affordable but now it's solid.
20 upvotes
local_jonathan36
bump
18 upvotes
Jackson Edwards
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Greenfield. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
15 upvotes
Aria Brown
I've lived in Oak Park for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- The nightlife scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Definitely worth checking out..
14 upvotes
Aaliyah R.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Salt Lake City it's better than expected.
12 upvotes
Aubrey
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 3 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
8 upvotes
desert_hannah12
Used to live on the Midtown side, now on the South side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
8 upvotes
Audrey J.
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
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