Not sure if this has been asked before, but Born and raised here. The median home value here is around $121,000, which is actually reasonable. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Anyone in a similar situation? TIA!
25 upvotes
30 Replies
real_arianna5
Used to live on the Sunset side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
40 upvotes
Amelia C.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
40 upvotes
Eva Watson
yep
39 upvotes
Logan C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 3 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are affordable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Feel free to reach out with questions..
39 upvotes
Aubrey
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Lakewood. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
39 upvotes
Wesley Clark
Moved here last year, no regrets.
37 upvotes
Reagan D.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Phoenix about 9 years ago. The main reasons were work and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Affordable housing options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are reasonable, gas is challenging.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Hope this helps!.
37 upvotes
James H.
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
36 upvotes
Sophia Rivera
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good internet infrastructure
- The food scene scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
36 upvotes
Valentina Hall
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
35 upvotes
Caleb Moore
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely challenging and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Limited shopping options.
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.
35 upvotes
Emmett Turner
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 2 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
35 upvotes
Sebastian Gomez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
34 upvotes
Eli Ramirez
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is safety. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
33 upvotes
Noah P.
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
33 upvotes
Bennett King
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 9 years. Moved from Miami for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly 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. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown 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. Rising rent and home prices. Bugs and humidity in summer. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Aria Walker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in West. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in government. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
30 upvotes
Roman Johnson
nah I disagree
28 upvotes
Riley Gray
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in South. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in finance. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
28 upvotes
Levi Wood
Used to live on the West side, now on the Springfield side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
27 upvotes
Liam Hernandez
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
26 upvotes
Daniel S.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
25 upvotes
Eleanor G.
this is the way
23 upvotes
Grayson Moore
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 27, moved here 15 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in East and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The pet-friendliness situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good 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 Dallas, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
20 upvotes
Logan Wood
great question, following
15 upvotes
Kai Walker
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
14 upvotes
Elena S.
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The job market is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
8 upvotes
Everett James
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
4 upvotes
Isabelle A.
lol so true
4 upvotes
Charlotte Gutierrez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Baltimore it's pretty good.
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