I relocated for work and It's a a smaller city city with about 25,109 people. Rent is about $2,058/month for a decent place. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Should I be concerned? Thanks in advance! The food scene here is surprisingly good. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
1 upvotes
6 Replies
indylocal2020
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 53, moved here 15 years ago from LA. I've lived in Eastside and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The food scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for young professionals. improving vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 LA, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
34 upvotes
Ariana Ortiz
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Houston about 5 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are stable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. No regrets on my end..
24 upvotes
Josiah Hill
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
22 upvotes
Maverick Myers
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Eastside. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in retail. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
11 upvotes
Cameron Thompson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 14 years. Moved from New York for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - 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. Eastside schools are better than expected. 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 shopping options. Far from beaches/mountains. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
2 upvotes
James Morris
I work in tech here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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