I work in energy and The median home value here is around $245,500, which is actually reasonable. Average temperature is around 61--F, so the weather is moderate. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Would love some local perspective. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The city has invested a lot in new development.
19 upvotes
15 Replies
Gabriella Peterson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Eastside. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
No regrets on my end..
31 upvotes
nycdude2021
couldn't agree more
30 upvotes
Kaylee Myers
honestly same experience here
29 upvotes
larunner2024
same here
27 upvotes
Camila J.
Moved here from Salt Lake City about 13 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to outdoor recreation but Good luck with whatever you decide..
25 upvotes
Adeline
I'm a pharmacist and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
17 upvotes
Ellie Murphy
Bought a house here in 2021 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
16 upvotes
Weston Parker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 25, moved here 6 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Downtown and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The school system situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for singles. 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 Austin, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K 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.
16 upvotes
Hailey Ortiz
I work in healthcare here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is excellent. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
15 upvotes
Emilia W.
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
14 upvotes
Declan Jones
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 10 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
14 upvotes
Caleb W.
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much developing but now it's excellent.
11 upvotes
Kai
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great Korean places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
11 upvotes
Sara T.
As someone who grew up here, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much wild but now it's average.
7 upvotes
Isabelle C.
Moved here from San Diego about 14 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to outdoor recreation but No regrets on my end..
All Countries
