Been meaning to ask this. Born and raised here. Average temperature is around 55--F, so the weather is moderate. The unemployment rate is 5.9%, which is about average. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Let me know your thoughts. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
5 upvotes
10 Replies
Joshua Evans
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 1 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. consulting 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is tough - we have biking trails 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 surprisingly good. 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. Limited shopping options. Homeless population growing downtown. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
Carol R.
I've lived in Westside for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by public transit. 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 nightlife scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
32 upvotes
William
good to know, thanks
31 upvotes
Levi Sanders
seconding this
31 upvotes
Serenity Hill
accurate
28 upvotes
Ryan C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in West. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in government. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
No regrets on my end..
26 upvotes
Autumn W.
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Mexican places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
25 upvotes
omaha_cameron
Moved here from San Francisco about 2 years ago. I genuinely enjoy living here. Still getting used to housing market but Hope this helps!.
18 upvotes
Everett Ruiz
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
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