OK so The median home value here is around $431,700, which is pretty steep. Median household income is $83,212, which feels pretty solid for the area. The weather takes some getting used to. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Am I wrong here? The food scene here is surprisingly good. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
24 upvotes
29 Replies
Wesley Taylor
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
40 upvotes
Hunter Morris
thanks for sharing
40 upvotes
Katherine B.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely challenging and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Old Town) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability 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.
38 upvotes
Hudson Cook
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 31, moved here 12 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in West and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited entertainment options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The healthcare situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for remote workers. underrated 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 Chicago, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K 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.
35 upvotes
Jayden Wood
yep
35 upvotes
Austin Young
Used to live on the Oak Park side, now on the South side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
34 upvotes
Jose Cox
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 7 years. Moved from Dallas for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
manufacturing is strong here. manufacturing 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:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are improving. 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. Rising rent and home prices. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Skylar Kelly
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
30 upvotes
Colton Kelly
I work in retail here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is solid. Definitely worth checking out..
30 upvotes
Logan Lopez
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
30 upvotes
Hunter Campbell
Moved here last year, no regrets.
28 upvotes
Benjamin Adams
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
27 upvotes
Silas Morales
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The cost of living is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
24 upvotes
Brooklyn N.
big facts right here
21 upvotes
Jackson Rodriguez
yep
18 upvotes
Sarah Carter
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is healthcare. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
17 upvotes
Paisley Myers
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 48, moved here 9 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Fairview and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The housing market situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for families. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 Phoenix, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$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.
16 upvotes
Connor Richardson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely better than expected and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Midtown) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
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.
14 upvotes
Hudson Kim
Moved here from Houston about 6 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to cost of living but Good luck with whatever you decide..
11 upvotes
Joseph Wilson
Moved here from Tampa about 15 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to weather but Happy to answer more specific questions..
10 upvotes
Michael Hughes
couldn't agree more
7 upvotes
Gabriella Wilson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
7 upvotes
Lily Y.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Highland) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Limited shopping options.
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.
6 upvotes
Connor
been saying this for years
4 upvotes
Violet Harris
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 6 years. Moved from Austin for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. 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. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is average - we have hiking trails 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. Rising rent and home prices. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
Isaac Ward
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
3 upvotes
Elena G.
I'm a electrician and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is average and there's always something going on.
2 upvotes
mountain_elijah38
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Riverside area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
1 upvotes
Chloe R.
I've been living here for 10 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The cultural scene is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
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