So, We have two kids and Median household income is $50,396, which feels on the lower side for the area. Crime rate is something to consider -Florence sits at 502.0 per 100K. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Let me know your thoughts. Appreciate any input. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The city has invested a lot in new development. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
7 upvotes
15 Replies
Easton
Used to live on the Downtown side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
38 upvotes
Austin Alvarez
I work in hospitality here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is average. No regrets on my end..
28 upvotes
David Williams
I've lived in East for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. 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:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- The food scene scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
28 upvotes
dallasfan2023
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 52, moved here 12 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Old Town and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The traffic situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for young professionals. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Denver, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K 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.
28 upvotes
Ryan H.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Baltimore 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 Midtown. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in engineering. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Roman Jones
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
24 upvotes
Vivian Bailey
Saving this thread
23 upvotes
loving_colton17
honestly same experience here
23 upvotes
Arianna Scott
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
23 upvotes
Eleanor H.
Used to live on the Eastside side, now on the Lakewood side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
20 upvotes
Eva Jones
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is challenging in most areas.
18 upvotes
Leah
nah I disagree
10 upvotes
Isabelle R.
spot on
9 upvotes
Brooklyn Lopez
big facts right here
6 upvotes
Lucas Turner
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 58, moved here 1 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Greenfield and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited shopping options
3. The community vibe situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for singles. challenging 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 Phoenix, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K 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.
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