Been meaning to ask this. The median home value here is around $190,500, which is actually reasonable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Would love some local perspective.
15 upvotes
7 Replies
Isla Davis
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
25 upvotes
Miles Collins
same here
25 upvotes
Riley Murphy
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely tough and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Riverside) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
17 upvotes
Adam Diaz
facts
16 upvotes
Isaac Gutierrez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
14 upvotes
Harper
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 12 years. Moved from New York for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2016 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is solid - we have state parks 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 improving. 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. Rising rent and home prices. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
Wesley Long
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Meadowbrook. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.