Curious what people think. My partner and I are It's a a small town city with about 16,671 people. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Anyone in a similar situation? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
6 upvotes
13 Replies
Dylan Ward
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 35, moved here 11 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in East and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The job market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for couples. improving 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 Minneapolis, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
38 upvotes
Lydia Green
literally same
35 upvotes
Christian Harris
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
35 upvotes
Violet Martinez
couldn't agree more
31 upvotes
Jonathan Ward
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
25 upvotes
Zoey G.
same here
20 upvotes
Christian Phillips
same here
12 upvotes
Piper Gray
Bought a house here in 2016 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
10 upvotes
Ariana Foster
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
9 upvotes
Abigail Cook
wish I knew this sooner
5 upvotes
Bennett R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 2 years. Moved from Miami for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. retail 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:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is tough - we have ski resorts 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 challenging. 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. Far from beaches/mountains. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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