I grew up here but left for a while. Median household income is $142,402, which feels pretty solid for the area. Average temperature is around 59--F, so the weather is moderate. Poverty rate is 1.7%, which is pretty low. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up. Would love some local perspective. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
9 upvotes
8 Replies
Kathryn C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Downtown. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in government. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
26 upvotes
everett_heart
Moved here from Denver about 15 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to housing market but Happy to answer more specific questions..
26 upvotes
Grayson Jackson
Used to live on the Highland side, now on the Uptown side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
18 upvotes
Sarah G.
Moved here from Denver about 8 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to community vibe but Feel free to reach out with questions..
16 upvotes
Oliver Ruiz
Totally agree!
12 upvotes
Julian Edwards
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 52, moved here 8 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Springfield and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good airport with direct flights
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The outdoor recreation situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for young professionals. solid vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Boston, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$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.
12 upvotes
Mason Scott
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely underrated and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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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