So, Rent is about $1,892/month for a decent place. The median home value here is around $728,500, which is pretty steep. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The city has invested a lot in new development.
57 upvotes
20 Replies
tucsonmama2021
nah I disagree
40 upvotes
Amy P.
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Greenfield area are challenging. Kids love it here.
36 upvotes
Isaiah C.
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
32 upvotes
Aaron P.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Worth doing your research before committing.
32 upvotes
Michael Foster
Came here for quality of life and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The school system is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
31 upvotes
Caroline Garcia
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Houston about 14 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good internet infrastructure
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are growing, gas is tough.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. No regrets on my end..
31 upvotes
Aaliyah Parker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Austin about 9 years ago. The main reasons were school and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good internet infrastructure
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are competitive, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
30 upvotes
Maria R.
been saying this for years
29 upvotes
austin_jonathan
facts
27 upvotes
Roman Lopez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
26 upvotes
Emmett Gonzalez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 45, moved here 11 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Riverside and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Great outdoor activities nearby
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The dating scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for singles. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Seattle, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $60K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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
Timothy E.
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
24 upvotes
Connor T.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 8 years. Moved from Minneapolis for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown 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. Can feel isolated. Homeless population growing downtown. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
nolamama2026
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely hit or miss and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Riverside) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability 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.
22 upvotes
Alice W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 26, moved here 13 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Midtown and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The housing market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for families. pretty good 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 Boston, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$110K 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
Ethan Parker
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 5 years. Moved from San Diego for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are challenging. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Savannah Young
I've lived in Fairview for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The nightlife scene is solid
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. No regrets on my end..
18 upvotes
Eugene G.
Saving this thread
17 upvotes
Ethan F.
I work in finance here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is improving. Definitely worth checking out..
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