Hey everyone, We have two kids and Average temperature is around 48--F, so expect cold winters. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Am I overthinking this? The food scene here is surprisingly good. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
20 upvotes
21 Replies
Avery
+1
39 upvotes
Sophia Mendoza
facts
38 upvotes
Cora
thanks for sharing
35 upvotes
native_bennett73
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
34 upvotes
Carson Turner
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 6 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
34 upvotes
Violet Morris
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 12 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
32 upvotes
Sebastian C.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Eastside. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in government. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Hope this helps!.
31 upvotes
Michael Hill
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 26, moved here 10 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in South and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Diverse dining options
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. Limited shopping options
3. The dating scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for retirees. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K 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.
29 upvotes
Heather H.
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Meadowbrook area are challenging. Kids love it here.
23 upvotes
Adeline Hughes
glad someone said it
19 upvotes
Luca Cooper
big facts right here
19 upvotes
Emmett
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Atlanta about 8 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are manageable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Happy to answer more specific questions..
18 upvotes
addison_chef
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely better than expected and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Eastside) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
17 upvotes
Madeline Lewis
I've lived in The Heights for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong job market in several industries
- The job market scene is tough
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
17 upvotes
Robert Collins
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 41, moved here 9 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Limited shopping options
3. The school system situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for singles. hit or miss 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 Minneapolis, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
13 upvotes
Grace P.
lol so true
12 upvotes
Addison
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 15 years. Moved from Austin for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2019 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:**
consulting 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. Old Town schools are surprisingly good. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
Brooklyn
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
3 upvotes
Oliver Rodriguez
Used to live on the North side, now on the Springfield side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
2 upvotes
Hudson Sanders
lol so true
1 upvotes
Caroline Hernandez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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