Been meaning to ask this. I'm a 30-year-old nurse and The unemployment rate is 1.9%, which is pretty low. Average temperature is around 67--F, so the weather is moderate. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to. The city has invested a lot in new development. Thoughts? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
25 upvotes
29 Replies
Nathan Rivera
been saying this for years
39 upvotes
Audrey
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Eastside area are tough. Kids love it here.
35 upvotes
Declan P.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
34 upvotes
Gabriella
haha yep pretty much
34 upvotes
Sophie W.
thanks for sharing
33 upvotes
Joseph P.
Used to live on the Uptown side, now on the Maple Ridge side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
32 upvotes
Everett Jimenez
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The public transit is improving compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
28 upvotes
Elijah M.
yep
27 upvotes
cool_benjamin70
hmm interesting perspective
27 upvotes
Sarah Mitchell
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Salt Lake City it's improving.
27 upvotes
Jeremiah Baker
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Hope this helps!.
24 upvotes
Cora Rivera
I work in retail here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is hit or miss. No regrets on my end..
22 upvotes
Jacob Brooks
Bought a house here in 2021 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
20 upvotes
Scarlett P.
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. weather used to be much manageable but now it's improving.
19 upvotes
urban_maverick83
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is average in most areas.
19 upvotes
tucson_scarlett
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely challenging and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
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.
19 upvotes
miamimama2021
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely hit or miss and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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
Christian Rodriguez
Came here for cost of living and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The public transit is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
16 upvotes
Addison Rodriguez
preach
16 upvotes
lake_mason26
This.
13 upvotes
Chloe T.
Totally agree!
12 upvotes
Bella
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 48, moved here 13 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in West and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The food scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for remote workers. tough vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K 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.
12 upvotes
Grace Chavez
The food scene here is solid. Tons of great Southern places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
12 upvotes
Adrian Ward
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Feel free to reach out with questions..
10 upvotes
Natalie Chavez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Minneapolis about 8 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are stable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Definitely worth checking out..
9 upvotes
Lily Bennett
seconding this
6 upvotes
brielle_life
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
5 upvotes
Matthew M.
I work in hospitality here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is pretty good. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
4 upvotes
Aubrey Adams
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 6 years. Moved from Portland for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. tech 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:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have state parks 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. Winters are long and cold. Property taxes are high. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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