Curious what people think. Been living here since 2021. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Worth the trade-offs? Thanks for reading.
5 upvotes
15 Replies
Camila
as a local I can confirm
40 upvotes
Janice N.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is excellent in most areas.
39 upvotes
Hazel Reed
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 Houston for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. healthcare 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:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. East schools are better than expected. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Road conditions need improvement. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Stella Thompson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Portland about 9 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are stable, gas is tough.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. No regrets on my end..
30 upvotes
dallas_nicholas
been saying this for years
27 upvotes
Leonardo Johnson
I'm a electrician and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
26 upvotes
Joseph P.
Bought a house here in 2024 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
25 upvotes
Addison Cruz
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
24 upvotes
Daniel Bennett
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is solid in most areas.
24 upvotes
Parker Nguyen
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Pine Hills. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in tech. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
18 upvotes
Matthew Mitchell
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Sunset) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
18 upvotes
detroitmind2020
Came here for school and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The safety is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
12 upvotes
charlottevibes2024
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 13 years. Moved from Tampa for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2021 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:**
finance is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is improving - 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 better than expected. 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. Dating scene is rough. Homeless population growing downtown. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Abigail R.
I've lived in Midtown for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The healthcare scene is improving
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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