Military spouse here. Poverty rate is 5.7%, which is pretty low. Crime rate is something to consider -DeSoto sits at 325.8 per 100K. Median household income is $83,256, which feels pretty solid for the area. Rent is about $1,478/month for a decent place. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
18 upvotes
25 Replies
Everett B.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 11 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
39 upvotes
bostongirl2020
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
39 upvotes
stl_logan
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The traffic is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
37 upvotes
Quinn Morales
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The weather is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
36 upvotes
Bradley H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 43, moved here 9 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Eastside and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good airport with direct flights
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
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. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The school system situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for singles. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 San Diego, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
34 upvotes
Bennett Wilson
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
34 upvotes
Aria Chavez
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
32 upvotes
Luke Collins
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 14 years. Moved from New York for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2020 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. Pine Hills schools are underrated. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. Limited entertainment options. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Maverick Hughes
Moved here from Salt Lake City about 15 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to food scene but Feel free to reach out with questions..
31 upvotes
Miles O.
nah I disagree
24 upvotes
Jayden Mitchell
lol so true
19 upvotes
Samuel H.
I work in government here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is average. Hope this helps!.
19 upvotes
Julia R.
good to know, thanks
17 upvotes
Adam W.
I'm a software engineer and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
16 upvotes
Elena Bennett
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
14 upvotes
Hailey Nguyen
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is decent in most areas.
14 upvotes
Everett C.
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
13 upvotes
Zoey T.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely improving and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Highland) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
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.
9 upvotes
Avery Jimenez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Meadowbrook. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in government. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
7 upvotes
Eleanor Parker
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
5 upvotes
Angel Mendoza
haha yep pretty much
4 upvotes
nashville_stella
hmm interesting perspective
1 upvotes
Ava Ortiz
Used to live on the Uptown side, now on the Cedar Grove side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
1 upvotes
Melanie Mendoza
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
0 upvotes
Emily Richardson
Moved here from Atlanta about 9 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to healthcare but Hope this helps!.
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