Curious what people think. Born and raised here. Homes are going for about $298,600 on average. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Am I wrong here? It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
9 upvotes
25 Replies
Caleb Walker
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in Westside area are excellent. Kids love it here.
39 upvotes
Maverick Hughes
I'm a accountant and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
38 upvotes
Jace Thomas
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 7 years. Moved from Seattle for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. Pine Hills schools are pretty 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. Winters are long and cold. Far from beaches/mountains. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Sebastian Anderson
Used to live on the North side, now on the Cedar Grove side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
36 upvotes
Eleanor Sanchez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 38, moved here 9 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Riverside and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Close to major attractions
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Can feel isolated
3. The nightlife situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for couples. improving vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K 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.
36 upvotes
Evelyn Richardson
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in West area are tough. Kids love it here.
35 upvotes
Brooklyn Parker
big facts right here
35 upvotes
Sebastian Morales
Bought a house here in 2021 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
34 upvotes
Jacob Morris
Saving this thread
33 upvotes
Joshua R.
as a local I can confirm
33 upvotes
Peyton Reyes
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Highland. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in real estate. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
31 upvotes
Colton Martinez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
31 upvotes
Declan P.
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 15 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in South and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The walkability situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for couples. tough 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
29 upvotes
Benjamin Parker
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
29 upvotes
Rylee Murphy
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a electrician who relocated here from LA about 10 years ago. The main reasons were work and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are affordable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
22 upvotes
Kayden Baker
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
20 upvotes
Paisley Hill
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 51, moved here 14 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in West and Cedar Grove, 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. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Limited shopping options
3. The community vibe situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for young professionals. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Baltimore, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.
19 upvotes
Natalie Allen
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
18 upvotes
Adeline
great question, following
12 upvotes
Mia Roberts
Used to live on the Lakewood side, now on the Fairview side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
11 upvotes
Madeline R.
couldn't agree more
10 upvotes
Leonardo Cook
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 44, moved here 4 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Fairview and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The community vibe situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for families. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$70K 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.
5 upvotes
Audrey Bailey
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Lakewood. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in real estate. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
3 upvotes
Abigail Harris
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
2 upvotes
James Foster
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The food scene is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
All Countries
