First post here. It's a a smaller city city with about 43,003 people. Rent is about $1,846/month for a decent place. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
13 upvotes
21 Replies
Aurora G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 37, moved here 14 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Uptown and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The pet-friendliness situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for young professionals. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
38 upvotes
Weston Sanders
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The pet-friendliness is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
38 upvotes
Eli Kelly
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great Italian places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
35 upvotes
Miles Ramirez
couldn't agree more
31 upvotes
Isla K.
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.
30 upvotes
Clara Thompson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 1 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
29 upvotes
Grace T.
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Westside area are excellent. Kids love it here.
29 upvotes
Chloe W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 1 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
29 upvotes
Hailey M.
Can confirm, been here 14 years.
28 upvotes
Emma Wilson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from San Francisco about 3 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of new development happening
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are established, gas is better than expected.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
27 upvotes
Riley Alvarez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from Denver about 5 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is improving.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
25 upvotes
Greyson Sanders
bump
22 upvotes
Jordan Rogers
bump
20 upvotes
eva_mind
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in East. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
12 upvotes
Amelia Mitchell
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
12 upvotes
chloe_mama
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much growing but now it's solid.
9 upvotes
Arianna Mendoza
big facts right here
5 upvotes
Adam Gomez
hard disagree but ok
4 upvotes
Weston Nguyen
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 5 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
1 upvotes
William Sanchez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 8 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
0 upvotes
Noah Anderson
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Salt Lake City it's excellent.
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