Hey everyone, Rent is about $2,147/month for a decent place. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
9 upvotes
14 Replies
Isla Diaz
I work in tech here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is average. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
34 upvotes
Thomas B.
good to know, thanks
33 upvotes
Scarlett P.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
32 upvotes
Isla
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Downtown area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
28 upvotes
Zoe Gonzalez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 7 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
28 upvotes
Adam King
I work in construction here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is excellent. Feel free to reach out with questions..
25 upvotes
Bella Howard
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Portland about 14 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Active local events and festivals
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are developing, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
24 upvotes
Miles Clark
hmm interesting perspective
22 upvotes
Cooper Ross
following this thread
22 upvotes
Miles Clark
Bought a house here in 2018 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
20 upvotes
Julian H.
hmm interesting perspective
18 upvotes
Nora O.
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
15 upvotes
Noah L.
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
11 upvotes
Hannah Price
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 4 years. Moved from Seattle for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are solid. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. Limited entertainment options. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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