First post here. Poverty rate is 12.3%, which is around average. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The city has invested a lot in new development. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
3 upvotes
12 Replies
mountain_sophia27
honestly same experience here
40 upvotes
Madeline
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
38 upvotes
Isabelle Thomas
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 34, moved here 13 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Pine Hills and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The walkability situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for families. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Atlanta, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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
tulsa_cameron
hmm interesting perspective
32 upvotes
Thomas S.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 4 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is solid - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are decent. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Tyler C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Highland. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in construction. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Korean.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
31 upvotes
sacramento_arianna
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely better than expected and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Sunset) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living 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.
29 upvotes
Kinsley Bailey
I'm a electrician and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
26 upvotes
Josiah Brooks
I've lived in Westside for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The nightlife scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
22 upvotes
Jacob F.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Baltimore it's pretty good.
11 upvotes
Liam Flores
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 15 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
10 upvotes
Skylar Morgan
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
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