Median household income is $95,216, which feels pretty solid for the area. Am I wrong here?
12 upvotes
13 Replies
Waylon Lee
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Chicago about 6 years ago. The main reasons were work and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are growing, gas is average.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
28 upvotes
Cora M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Highland. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in real estate. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
25 upvotes
Brooklyn Davis
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 11 years. Moved from Boston for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is tough - we have mountains 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 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. Rising rent and home prices. Limited entertainment options. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
jackson_girl
it depends on the neighborhood
17 upvotes
Riley Adams
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to LA it's challenging.
16 upvotes
waylon_guy
yep
14 upvotes
Isaiah Kelly
Moved here from San Francisco about 10 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to weather but Happy to answer more specific questions..
11 upvotes
Jayden Reed
lol so true
11 upvotes
Jordan B.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 1 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is challenging - 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. Pine Hills schools are excellent. 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. Road conditions need improvement. Limited entertainment options. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
Lydia Ross
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
6 upvotes
Avery Anderson
following this thread
6 upvotes
Isabella Murphy
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 8 years. Moved from New York for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. education 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 solid - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are average. 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. Nightlife is limited. Limited entertainment options. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Grayson Martin
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 40, moved here 5 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Downtown and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The cultural scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for singles. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $90K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.