Hey folks, My family moved here when I was a kid. Rent is about $1,593/month for a decent place. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Am I wrong here? Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
12 upvotes
13 Replies
Lydia James
Bought a house here in 2023 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone about the same since then.
39 upvotes
Ezra C.
honestly same experience here
34 upvotes
Lydia Chavez
honestly same experience here
33 upvotes
Willie B.
I've lived in Westside for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Close to major attractions
- The walkability scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Definitely worth checking out..
30 upvotes
Lillian
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much stable but now it's decent.
24 upvotes
ruby_life
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
23 upvotes
Hunter
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Atlanta about 5 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are growing, gas is solid.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
19 upvotes
Jeremiah Nguyen
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in West. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in education. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
18 upvotes
Wesley D.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Pine Hills. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in construction. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
15 upvotes
Cora
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 10 years. Moved from Denver for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside 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. Urban sprawl is real. Not very walkable outside downtown. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Dorothy W.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
8 upvotes
charlotteheart2022
I'm a social worker and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
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