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Colton Jones moving

Moving from Pittsburgh to El Centro next month

I've been here for 12 years and You can expect to pay around $992 for rent here. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. What neighborhoods would you suggest? Thanks! The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
13 upvotes

12 Replies

Lydia Green
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.

I've been here 12 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is better than expected.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Would recommend to anyone considering it..
39 upvotes
Sarah
couldn't agree more
34 upvotes
Maya
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Highland for 9 years. Moved from Tampa for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.

**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. consulting 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is improving - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are pretty 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Can feel isolated. And traffic can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
cool_xavier46
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely solid and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.

My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
20 upvotes
Santiago J.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a chef, 47, moved here 13 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Midtown and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited shopping options
3. The nightlife situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for remote workers. decent 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 Miami, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K 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.
19 upvotes
liam_living
seconding this
18 upvotes
Luke
Totally agree!
17 upvotes
David A.
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
12 upvotes
Nova Campbell
honestly same experience here
10 upvotes
Owen Perez
I've lived in Uptown for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Diverse dining options
- The school system scene is improving

The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Road conditions need improvement

Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Hope this helps!.
6 upvotes
santiago_native
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value school system, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely solid and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (The Heights) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.

My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
2 upvotes
Aurora Nelson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Old Town. It's excellent for what you get.

Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.

People: Generally average. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: tough. Tons of options if you like BBQ.

Happy to answer more specific questions..
1 upvotes
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