Hello, The median home value here is around $355,300, which seems about average. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
46 upvotes
23 Replies
atlguy2023
I work in healthcare here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is decent. No regrets on my end..
37 upvotes
Ariana A.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is solid in most areas.
36 upvotes
Luke Ross
honestly same experience here
35 upvotes
Charlotte Robinson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 7 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into running, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
34 upvotes
Jacob Morales
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Seattle about 8 years ago. The main reasons were family and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are manageable, gas is underrated.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. No regrets on my end..
33 upvotes
Landon Cook
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great seafood places. it exceeded my expectations.
33 upvotes
Harper Bailey
I've lived in Downtown for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Miami, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The cost of living scene is decent
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
32 upvotes
Melissa R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 8 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
32 upvotes
Ezra Young
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
29 upvotes
Isabella Baker
honestly same experience here
27 upvotes
Rylee Gray
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 29, moved here 8 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Lakewood and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Nice parks and green spaces
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Property taxes are high
3. The pet-friendliness situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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
Audrey Ortiz
Bought a house here in 2021 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone about the same since then.
24 upvotes
Linda P.
Came here for family and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The healthcare is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
20 upvotes
Camila T.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Miami 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 Old Town. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in legal. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
19 upvotes
Samuel Smith
lol so true
14 upvotes
Victoria Parker
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Chicago it's average.
12 upvotes
Isaac Castillo
honestly same experience here
11 upvotes
Savannah Garcia
Moved here from Salt Lake City about 11 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to healthcare but Good luck with whatever you decide..
10 upvotes
Landon Clark
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 14 years ago. The main reasons were work and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Active local events and festivals
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are manageable, gas is decent.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
8 upvotes
Xavier B.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
8 upvotes
Kayden B.
wish I knew this sooner
8 upvotes
Christian R.
thanks for sharing
5 upvotes
cincyheart2025
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Dallas about 4 years ago. The main reasons were family and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Active local events and festivals
- Affordable housing options
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are growing, gas is excellent.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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