Hi all, I'm a teacher here and The median home value here is around $295,500, which seems about average. The unemployment rate is 4.6%, which is about average. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Am I wrong here? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
29 upvotes
18 Replies
Brooks Perez
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Eastside area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
40 upvotes
Luna Wright
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Nashville about 4 years ago. The main reasons were work and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are growing, gas is average.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Happy to answer more specific questions..
35 upvotes
Leonardo
I'm a accountant and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
35 upvotes
Theodore F.
preach
33 upvotes
John J.
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The dating scene is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
30 upvotes
Grayson
I'm a sales manager and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
27 upvotes
Ruby D.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Fairview. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in retail. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
25 upvotes
real_kai78
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is improving in most areas.
25 upvotes
Maya R.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
23 upvotes
Victoria B.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 1 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
23 upvotes
Noah
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely improving and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (East) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
20 upvotes
Bella Campbell
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 48, moved here 10 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in North and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The job market situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for retirees. decent vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 established. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
19 upvotes
local_levi50
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from Nashville about 5 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good internet infrastructure
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are developing, gas is decent.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. No regrets on my end..
17 upvotes
Frances R.
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in North area are average. Kids love it here.
16 upvotes
Stephen R.
Moved here from Phoenix about 5 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to healthcare but Feel free to reach out with questions..
12 upvotes
vegas_chloe
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.
12 upvotes
Elijah G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Springfield. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in construction. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
9 upvotes
Nova Smith
Came here for school and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The walkability is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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