Born and raised here. Rent is about $2,119/month for a decent place. Average temperature is around 51--F, so expect cold winters. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good. What would you do? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
1 upvotes
10 Replies
Reagan Martinez
I'm a social worker and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is average and there's always something going on.
40 upvotes
tulsalife2020
wish I knew this sooner
32 upvotes
Joseph J.
I work in legal here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is excellent. Good luck with whatever you decide..
27 upvotes
Brenda H.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 9 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
26 upvotes
Judy G.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely solid and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (East) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
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.
22 upvotes
Bella M.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
14 upvotes
James C.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
12 upvotes
Isla Chavez
same here
11 upvotes
Audrey
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from Dallas about 9 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Affordable housing options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are reasonable, gas is decent.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Happy to answer more specific questions..
10 upvotes
Robert Perez
Bought a house here in 2017 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone up a bit since then.