Longtime lurker here, Homes are going for about $581,400 on average. Poverty rate is 1.0%, which is pretty low. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Should I be concerned? TIA! There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up.
3 upvotes
8 Replies
Aria Kelly
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much stable but now it's average.
36 upvotes
Cameron Baker
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is decent in most areas.
32 upvotes
Paisley Harris
yep
31 upvotes
Eli Lewis
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Lakewood. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in finance. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Definitely worth checking out..
26 upvotes
Noah Walker
Came here for retirement and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The public transit is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
24 upvotes
Austin E.
Can confirm, been here 11 years.
8 upvotes
Austin Patel
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 5 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are improving. 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. Winters are long and cold. Rising rent and home prices. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Jace Johnson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 49, moved here 12 years ago from New York. I've lived in Uptown and Midtown, 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 average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cultural scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for retirees. average 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 New York, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K 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.