Hi all, I'm a remote worker and Average temperature is around 57--F, so the weather is moderate. Homes are going for about $401,400 on average. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Am I overthinking this? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The suburbs are where most families end up. The suburbs are where most families end up.
9 upvotes
9 Replies
Abigail L.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 30, moved here 6 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Greenfield and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Four distinct seasons
2. Affordable housing options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The walkability situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for families. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Austin, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K 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.
36 upvotes
Joshua
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 40, moved here 2 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in West and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Close to major attractions
3. Affordable housing options
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. Nightlife is limited
3. The pet-friendliness situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for couples. tough vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Atlanta, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
35 upvotes
Aubrey Wilson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Eastside. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in tech. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Thai.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
34 upvotes
Parker
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 7 years. Moved from New York for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2023 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. government 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 love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is improving - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown schools are excellent. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Not very walkable outside downtown. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
30 upvotes
Hannah S.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
16 upvotes
Maya
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Miami about 7 years ago. The main reasons were work and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Active local events and festivals
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are developing, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Feel free to reach out with questions..
16 upvotes
chicagoheart2021
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Tampa 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 Downtown. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
12 upvotes
Declan L.
preach
6 upvotes
Mateo
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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