So, My partner and I are The unemployment rate is 3.0%, which is pretty low. The median home value here is around $318,200, which seems about average. Average temperature is around 51--F, so expect cold winters. Property taxes are high but you get good services. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
3 upvotes
13 Replies
Henry Gray
+1
40 upvotes
Ian C.
exactly what I was thinking
33 upvotes
Nicholas Torres
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
31 upvotes
Waylon H.
hmm interesting perspective
24 upvotes
Jayden Flores
yep
21 upvotes
Vivian M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 47, moved here 1 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Fairview and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The pet-friendliness situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Miami, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
19 upvotes
Autumn White
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely tough and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Old Town) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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
Emilia S.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Phoenix it's surprisingly good.
17 upvotes
oaklanddude2021
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
15 upvotes
Hailey Taylor
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great Mediterranean places. it was the best decision I ever made.
14 upvotes
Aaron Watson
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much developing but now it's challenging.
10 upvotes
oaklandguy2024
seconding this
8 upvotes
Evan Mendoza
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.