Random thought, Rent is about $660/month for a decent place. It's a a small town city with about 12,664 people. Median household income is $45,550, which feels on the lower side for the area. The unemployment rate is 2.1%, which is pretty low. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Worth the trade-offs? The city has invested a lot in new development. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
13 upvotes
15 Replies
William
Moved here last year, no regrets.
35 upvotes
Evan F.
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
31 upvotes
Wyatt Mendoza
noted, appreciate it
28 upvotes
Eli C.
Used to live on the Greenfield side, now on the Riverside side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
28 upvotes
Benjamin H.
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
24 upvotes
Naomi Morgan
Moved here from Houston about 8 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to cost of living but Good luck with whatever you decide..
22 upvotes
John C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 57, moved here 1 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Pine Hills and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The job market situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for families. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K 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.
18 upvotes
Caroline Reyes
Bought a house here in 2020 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
17 upvotes
Sarah W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 1 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into running, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
17 upvotes
Elizabeth S.
Moved here from LA about 7 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
13 upvotes
Stella Kelly
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
12 upvotes
Dennis A.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to San Francisco it's better than expected.
10 upvotes
Kayden Flores
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 26, moved here 14 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Sunset and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Limited shopping options
3. The housing market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Chicago, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
2 upvotes
Brooklyn Adams
I'm a HR manager and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
1 upvotes
Jack Kim
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 45, moved here 2 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Sunset and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The housing market situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for families. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K 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.