Hey everyone, We have two kids and The median home value here is around $583,700, which is pretty steep. Rent is about $1,423/month for a decent place. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. What are your go-to spots? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
15 upvotes
26 Replies
Robert Ortiz
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
39 upvotes
Stella Scott
honestly same experience here
39 upvotes
Cora
Came here for weather and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The safety is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
35 upvotes
Kyle C.
Totally agree!
34 upvotes
Daniel Ross
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 56, moved here 12 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Eastside and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Limited shopping options
3. The walkability situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for retirees. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Portland, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K 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.
34 upvotes
Lucas Myers
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Definitely worth checking out..
32 upvotes
Abigail M.
Used to live on the Westside side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
30 upvotes
Mary B.
spot on
27 upvotes
Luke
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 9 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
26 upvotes
Luna Robinson
this is the way
25 upvotes
Landon Ward
I've lived in Downtown for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good airport with direct flights
- The housing market scene is solid
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
24 upvotes
Jayden Campbell
Used to live on the Springfield side, now on the South side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
24 upvotes
Audrey N.
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
23 upvotes
Caroline Nguyen
100%
23 upvotes
Aaron Cox
yeah no that's not right
18 upvotes
Eleanor Thomas
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 2 years. Moved from Houston for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is solid - 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 excellent. 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. Nightlife is limited. Dating scene is rough. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
17 upvotes
Philip R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely excellent and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (The Heights) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
16 upvotes
Waylon Sanchez
noted, appreciate it
15 upvotes
minneapolis_isabella
literally same
14 upvotes
Brielle R.
Used to live on the Springfield side, now on the South side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
14 upvotes
happy_everly70
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
6 upvotes
Kai
Hot take but I'm still on the fence after all this time. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
6 upvotes
Reagan Ward
Came here for work and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The school system is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
5 upvotes
Everett Cooper
Used to live on the West side, now on the Highland side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
2 upvotes
Emilia W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 3 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is average - we have national forests 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 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Winters are long and cold. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
All Countries
