Alright, Military spouse here. It's a a small town city with about 5,624 people. The median home value here is around $145,300, which is actually reasonable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Would love some local perspective. The weather takes some getting used to. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
8 upvotes
14 Replies
Reagan Taylor
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 7 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are established, gas is improving.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Definitely worth checking out..
40 upvotes
Michael Richardson
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.
36 upvotes
Leo J.
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
36 upvotes
Leonardo Jackson
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..
35 upvotes
native_emily63
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 15 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
33 upvotes
Hunter Parker
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 11 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
33 upvotes
Michael Reed
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 45, moved here 3 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Pine Hills and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The weather situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for singles. improving vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 growing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
32 upvotes
Oliver R.
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
25 upvotes
Serenity Jones
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 40, moved here 6 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Riverside and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The food scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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
Alexander Phillips
Came here for cost of living and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community vibe is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
20 upvotes
Miles P.
wish I knew this sooner
15 upvotes
Weston K.
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much reasonable but now it's better than expected.
14 upvotes
Aubrey C.
I've lived in Downtown for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The cost of living scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
5 upvotes
Elijah Cruz
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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