Hey everyone, My family moved here when I was a kid. The median home value here is around $108,200, which is actually reasonable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
21 upvotes
29 Replies
Sarah P.
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
40 upvotes
Olivia Cooper
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
32 upvotes
Eli Davis
been saying this for years
32 upvotes
Levi S.
great question, following
31 upvotes
Carter Peterson
Moved here from Chicago about 12 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to safety but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
28 upvotes
Julia T.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 42, moved here 12 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Westside and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The healthcare situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for singles. solid vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$130K 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.
28 upvotes
Sadie Hernandez
seconding this
27 upvotes
Paisley
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely improving and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
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.
26 upvotes
Connor Thompson
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
26 upvotes
Nora P.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
24 upvotes
Miles Nelson
spot on
24 upvotes
Declan Sanders
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 1 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
23 upvotes
Vivian M.
glad someone said it
19 upvotes
Sophia Kim
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
18 upvotes
John Morris
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. nightlife used to be much competitive but now it's improving.
18 upvotes
Jackson C.
yep
15 upvotes
Sharon K.
I've lived in North for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Diverse dining options
- The traffic scene is improving
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Feel free to reach out with questions..
13 upvotes
Emma Young
Can confirm, been here 11 years.
13 upvotes
Connor Lewis
interesting, hadn't considered that
10 upvotes
jaxdude2023
I've lived in South for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Active local events and festivals
- The cultural scene scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
10 upvotes
Connor R.
underrated comment
8 upvotes
Ezekiel Baker
I'm a contractor and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
8 upvotes
Jacob Davis
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 4 years. Moved from Tampa for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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:**
consulting is strong here. manufacturing 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 hit or miss - 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. Westside schools are surprisingly 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. Property taxes are high. Dating scene is rough. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Carson Miller
been saying this for years
7 upvotes
jayden_life
Moved here from San Diego about 11 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to job market but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
6 upvotes
Noah James
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 51, moved here 2 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Highland and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The safety situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for retirees. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K 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.
5 upvotes
Isabella
thanks for sharing
5 upvotes
Adrian Ortiz
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely challenging and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Sunset) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
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.
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