Hello, With a population of 10,088, Independence is a small town. Homes are going for about $345,200 on average. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Any advice would be great.
6 upvotes
13 Replies
wyatt_papa
haha yep pretty much
38 upvotes
Easton H.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
37 upvotes
Jaxon Murphy
I've lived in Uptown for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good internet infrastructure
- The safety scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. No regrets on my end..
27 upvotes
Nova Kim
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 15 years. Moved from San Francisco for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. finance 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's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have beaches 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 average. 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. Limited public transit options. Limited entertainment options. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
24 upvotes
Anna
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are manageable. You get used to it after the first year.
21 upvotes
dallasdude2022
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 36, moved here 7 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Pine Hills and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
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. Urban sprawl is real
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The cultural scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for remote workers. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K 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.
17 upvotes
Luna Chavez
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
14 upvotes
Allison Martin
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely hit or miss and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Eastside) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
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.
11 upvotes
Aurora Wright
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The public transit is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
8 upvotes
Jordan Carter
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in North. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in tech. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
8 upvotes
Sofia Myers
I've lived in Westside for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- The cost of living scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
6 upvotes
Addison S.
yeah no that's not right
6 upvotes
Evelyn Davis
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely challenging and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
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