Alright, Median household income is $57,789, which feels about average for the area. The unemployment rate is 4.0%, which is pretty low. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Does this match your experience? The city has invested a lot in new development. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
6 upvotes
7 Replies
Amelia Green
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Houston about 6 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good airport with direct flights
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are growing, gas is solid.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Hope this helps!.
28 upvotes
Avery Jones
accurate
28 upvotes
Luke Long
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 49, moved here 11 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Lakewood and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The school system situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Phoenix, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific 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.
25 upvotes
omahalover2024
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want housing market, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
21 upvotes
Wyatt Baker
Moved here from Pittsburgh about 10 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to weather but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
19 upvotes
Scott P.
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much established but now it's tough.
16 upvotes
houstonlover2026
I've lived in Eastside for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
- The cultural scene scene is decent
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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