Hey folks, We're a young couple and Median household income is $189,705, which feels pretty solid for the area. The unemployment rate is 1.6%, which is pretty low. The city has invested a lot in new development. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. What do you all think?
5 upvotes
15 Replies
Jaxon C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 47, moved here 7 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited entertainment options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The cultural scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for couples. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
39 upvotes
Hailey Allen
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 2 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
35 upvotes
Xavier Williams
lol so true
30 upvotes
Eli F.
nah I disagree
22 upvotes
Matthew
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Meadowbrook. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Definitely worth checking out..
20 upvotes
Brooks W.
following this thread
17 upvotes
Brooks Clark
been saying this for years
14 upvotes
Abigail
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
13 upvotes
Josiah Walker
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Seattle it's average.
9 upvotes
Allison Price
nah I disagree
9 upvotes
Zoe R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Seattle about 15 years ago. The main reasons were family and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are wild, gas is average.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Hope this helps!.
8 upvotes
Autumn
Used to live on the Fairview side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
7 upvotes
Ian B.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely tough and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Fairview) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
4 upvotes
Ian Sanchez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Austin 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 Springfield. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
2 upvotes
Violet Robinson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 50, moved here 9 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Pine Hills and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited entertainment options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The cost of living situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for retirees. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Houston, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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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