Been meaning to ask this. I'm a college student here and Average temperature is around 53--F, so expect cold winters. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Am I wrong here? Thanks for reading. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
5 upvotes
11 Replies
Eli N.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in East. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
39 upvotes
phoenixsoul2025
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is traffic. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
25 upvotes
Elena Perez
literally same
23 upvotes
Julia M.
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Sunset area are tough. Kids love it here.
22 upvotes
Theodore Richardson
spot on
19 upvotes
levi_kid
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 46, moved here 12 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Midtown and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The cost of living situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for retirees. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K 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.
18 upvotes
Kevin J.
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
17 upvotes
Jaxon Peterson
I work in real estate here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is excellent. Happy to answer more specific questions..
14 upvotes
Pamela B.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 55, moved here 15 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Riverside and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The safety situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for singles. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K 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.
5 upvotes
Weston Mendoza
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 56, moved here 1 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Pine Hills and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Can feel isolated
3. The outdoor recreation situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for families. excellent 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 Charlotte, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K 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.
4 upvotes
Clara Thompson
Used to live on the West side, now on the Springfield side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
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