So, Rent is about $1,903/month for a decent place. Median household income is $161,875, which feels pretty solid for the area. The suburbs are where most families end up. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Thanks! It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
26 upvotes
14 Replies
Jack Kelly
exactly what I was thinking
33 upvotes
coastal_quinn90
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Maple Ridge. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
31 upvotes
Katherine Robinson
Used to live on the Meadowbrook side, now on the Downtown side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
29 upvotes
Elijah
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Downtown) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
26 upvotes
Lucas
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
24 upvotes
Roman L.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Salt Lake City it's decent.
24 upvotes
Paisley Gutierrez
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
23 upvotes
Scarlett Perez
spot on
21 upvotes
Cora C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 15 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
20 upvotes
Chloe R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 4 years. Moved from Minneapolis for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are excellent. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Can feel isolated. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
13 upvotes
naomi_vibes
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is tough in most areas.
12 upvotes
elijah_walker
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
10 upvotes
Parker
I'm a contractor and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
4 upvotes
Delilah Cooper
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Westside area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
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