My family moved here when I was a kid. Rent is about $1,030/month for a decent place. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
2 upvotes
6 Replies
Everly Robinson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from San Diego about 2 years ago. The main reasons were weather and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Good airport with direct flights
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Rising rent and home prices
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are affordable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Hope this helps!.
25 upvotes
Sadie Richardson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 52, moved here 8 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in The Heights and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The housing market situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for couples. decent 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 Phoenix, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
25 upvotes
Gabriel Hall
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it exceeded my expectations.
23 upvotes
Waylon D.
haha yep pretty much
21 upvotes
Sarah Brooks
I've lived in Eastside for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- The pet-friendliness scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. No regrets on my end..
18 upvotes
Mackenzie Clark
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. No regrets on my end..
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