Hey folks, I'm retired and Rent is about $922/month for a decent place. Homes are going for about $257,200 on average. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
28 upvotes
11 Replies
Daniel Price
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely excellent and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Uptown) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
39 upvotes
Sofia
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in South. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in finance. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
36 upvotes
Julia Richardson
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Sunset area are tough. Kids love it here.
36 upvotes
Julian Smith
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 34, moved here 15 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Sunset and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The housing market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Miami, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$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.
35 upvotes
Aiden Rodriguez
noted, appreciate it
26 upvotes
Olivia Ortiz
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Chicago about 11 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are competitive, gas is tough.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Good luck with whatever you decide..
25 upvotes
Eliana Carter
exactly what I was thinking
8 upvotes
John Carter
yep
6 upvotes
Jose R.
This.
5 upvotes
indypapa2023
This.
3 upvotes
Mackenzie T.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 43, moved here 6 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Downtown and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Can feel isolated
3. The dating scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for remote workers. 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 Seattle, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$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.
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