Not sure if this has been asked before, but I'm retired and The median home value here is around $558,500, which is pretty steep. Median household income is $98,187, which feels pretty solid for the area. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. What neighborhoods would you suggest? Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
39 upvotes
6 Replies
Alice M.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Pittsburgh it's better than expected.
37 upvotes
Sarah W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 32, moved here 7 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Westside and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The pet-friendliness situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for retirees. average vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Chicago, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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
Robert C.
Saving this thread
31 upvotes
Elena Gonzalez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 44, moved here 7 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Greenfield and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
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. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Can feel isolated
3. The job market situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
26 upvotes
Jordan F.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 3 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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