First post here. I'm a nurse at the local hospital and Median household income is $135,412, which feels pretty solid for the area. Average temperature is around 56--F, so the weather is moderate. Poverty rate is 5.4%, which is pretty low. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Am I wrong here? Looking forward to hearing from you all. The weather takes some getting used to. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The weather takes some getting used to. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
11 upvotes
12 Replies
Stella C.
Used to live on the Midtown side, now on the Springfield side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
39 upvotes
Aubrey Thomas
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
38 upvotes
Nicholas Baker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 38, moved here 6 years ago from Austin. I've lived in East and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The weather situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for singles. decent vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Austin, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
30 upvotes
Hunter S.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 2 years. Moved from Seattle for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Homeless population growing downtown. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
caroline_girl
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 9 years. Moved from Dallas for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
healthcare is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside 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. Winters are long and cold. Far from beaches/mountains. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Luke Wright
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
19 upvotes
Abigail Gray
Bought a house here in 2021 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone about the same since then.
16 upvotes
olivia_soul
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
15 upvotes
Victoria Castillo
Totally agree!
14 upvotes
evelyn_papa
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is community vibe. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
13 upvotes
Jace Patel
I'm a project manager and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
4 upvotes
born_greyson38
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 51, moved here 2 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Downtown and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Can feel isolated
3. The housing market situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for young professionals. 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 Denver, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K 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.
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