Been meaning to ask this. I'm a college student here and Median household income is $46,058, which feels on the lower side for the area. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. What do you all think? Cheers. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
9 upvotes
7 Replies
Jameson Smith
same here
38 upvotes
Willie D.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Portland about 9 years ago. The main reasons were weather and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are manageable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Good luck with whatever you decide..
36 upvotes
Robert W.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is traffic. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
23 upvotes
Vivian Smith
it depends on the neighborhood
17 upvotes
Gabriella Mitchell
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 45, moved here 12 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Greenfield and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The public transit situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for families. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Portland, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K 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.
17 upvotes
Theodore Jackson
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is decent in most areas.
17 upvotes
Carter
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in The Heights. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
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