Longtime lurker here, My partner and I are Median household income is $115,149, which feels pretty solid for the area. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Anyone in a similar situation? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
10 upvotes
25 Replies
Kai R.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
40 upvotes
Colton G.
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much competitive but now it's average.
38 upvotes
Daniel G.
underrated comment
36 upvotes
Nicholas W.
been saying this for years
36 upvotes
Reagan Cruz
as a local I can confirm
35 upvotes
Robert C.
glad someone said it
32 upvotes
Jack E.
as a local I can confirm
32 upvotes
Donna S.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from San Francisco about 3 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Four distinct seasons
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are reasonable, gas is solid.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Good luck with whatever you decide..
28 upvotes
Ella M.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
28 upvotes
Ezekiel Mendoza
100%
27 upvotes
Kinsley S.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 35, moved here 4 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Springfield and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Nice parks and green spaces
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The outdoor recreation situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for remote workers. challenging 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 Dallas, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
27 upvotes
Everett
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The community vibe is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
23 upvotes
Dylan C.
following this thread
22 upvotes
Kayden
Came here for weather and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The healthcare is honestly tough and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
18 upvotes
Connor H.
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The housing market is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
16 upvotes
Willow Alvarez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 12 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
14 upvotes
bostonnative2025
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 58, moved here 9 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Westside and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The healthcare situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for retirees. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Chicago, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
14 upvotes
Naomi Ramos
nah I disagree
13 upvotes
Katherine G.
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much growing but now it's average.
7 upvotes
Nathan Evans
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 13 years. Moved from Portland for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. 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 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is decent - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are challenging. 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. Winters are long and cold. Rising rent and home prices. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Weston M.
This.
5 upvotes
Hazel Thomas
100%
5 upvotes
Brielle Brooks
100%
4 upvotes
Nicholas Anderson
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say it's exactly what I was looking for. The traffic is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
3 upvotes
Brooks D.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Dallas it's decent.
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