The median home value here is around $613,600, which is pretty steep. It's a a mid-size city city with about 115K people. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Thoughts?
24 upvotes
14 Replies
Isabella Price
spot on
40 upvotes
Aubrey Cooper
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in East. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in tech. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
37 upvotes
Violet Hernandez
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Pine Hills area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
36 upvotes
Nova Gray
thanks for sharing
31 upvotes
Hazel Thomas
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
28 upvotes
Sarah Allen
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Highland. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in tech. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Hope this helps!.
27 upvotes
Ian C.
I work in government here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is excellent. Hope this helps!.
27 upvotes
Julia Hall
literally same
27 upvotes
John Reed
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 41, moved here 15 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Oak Park and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The traffic situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for couples. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K 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.
26 upvotes
seattledude2024
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 39, moved here 2 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The outdoor recreation situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Chicago, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
23 upvotes
Peyton Foster
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Westside. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in tech. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
No regrets on my end..
15 upvotes
John Long
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Meadowbrook. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
10 upvotes
Lydia Morris
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
3 upvotes
Audrey Edwards
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
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