Hey everyone, I'm single, late 30s, and The unemployment rate is 3.0%, which is pretty low. Average temperature is around 69--F, so the weather is moderate. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The city has invested a lot in new development. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
15 upvotes
12 Replies
Ellie P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 58, moved here 12 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Downtown and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The cost of living situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for remote workers. solid vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Nashville, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$130K 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.
38 upvotes
Jack C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Austin about 1 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are stable, gas is excellent.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
36 upvotes
Xavier L.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Meadowbrook. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in education. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
No regrets on my end..
32 upvotes
Aaliyah Howard
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 8 years. Moved from Dallas for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset schools are underrated. 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. Nightlife is limited. Limited high-paying job options. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Madeline H.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 4 years. Moved from Baltimore for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is tough - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Dating scene is rough. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Piper Walker
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great seafood places. it was the best decision I ever made.
21 upvotes
Autumn Scott
great question, following
20 upvotes
Elizabeth Ramirez
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great farm-to-table places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
19 upvotes
Sadie H.
+1
16 upvotes
Austin Ward
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 13 years. Moved from Miami for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are underrated. 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. Limited high-paying job options. Property taxes are high. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Jaxon Diaz
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely solid and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (South) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
10 upvotes
Zoe Lopez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Cedar Grove. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in consulting. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Southern.
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