Curious what people think. I grew up here but left for a while. Poverty rate is 14.5%, which is around average. Crime rate is something to consider -Enterprise sits at 374.6 per 100K. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
5 upvotes
9 Replies
native_scarlett66
not my experience at all
38 upvotes
Pamela B.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 34, moved here 1 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Eastside and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The traffic situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
36 upvotes
Elena Roberts
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
35 upvotes
Bella Reed
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
31 upvotes
Naomi M.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely better than expected and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Midtown) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
29 upvotes
emily_walker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in North. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in consulting. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
22 upvotes
Aria
Came here for quality of life and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The community vibe is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
13 upvotes
Jose Young
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
8 upvotes
chicago_henry
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
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