Hey folks, I'm a 35-year-old software engineer and It's a a small town city with about 9,769 people. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
13 upvotes
7 Replies
Matthew Stewart
hmm interesting perspective
39 upvotes
tucsonkid2026
I've lived in Eastside for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong job market in several industries
- The community vibe scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Happy to answer more specific questions..
35 upvotes
Gabriel W.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to San Francisco it's decent.
35 upvotes
Addison T.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Sunset. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in engineering. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Hope this helps!.
32 upvotes
Madelyn
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is excellent in most areas.
25 upvotes
Caleb Parker
literally same
17 upvotes
Aaliyah Lewis
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 57, moved here 6 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Springfield and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Affordable housing options
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Can feel isolated
3. The cost of living situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for singles. average vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 growing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K 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.
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