Anyone else feel this way? I'm a remote worker and You can expect to pay around $1,863 for rent here. Homes are going for about $378,100 on average. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Thoughts? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The suburbs are where most families end up. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
9 upvotes
28 Replies
Quinn Cruz
honestly same experience here
40 upvotes
urban_william43
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 28, moved here 5 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Sunset and Greenfield, 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. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The dating scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for young professionals. tough vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 San Diego, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is affordable. 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.
39 upvotes
Eleanor S.
yeah no that's not right
38 upvotes
Theodore Parker
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Phoenix it's excellent.
37 upvotes
Paisley R.
interesting, hadn't considered that
35 upvotes
Kinsley T.
nah I disagree
33 upvotes
ian_lover
I've lived in Eastside for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Affordable housing options
- The job market scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. Happy to answer more specific questions..
30 upvotes
Abigail Nelson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 50, moved here 4 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Nice parks and green spaces
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. Limited public transit options
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The dating scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for retirees. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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
James Castillo
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The public transit is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
29 upvotes
Ava Cook
I've lived in West for about 13 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 LA, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
- The safety scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
27 upvotes
Colton Wood
interesting, hadn't considered that
25 upvotes
Bennett
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 35, moved here 9 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Springfield and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Close to major attractions
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The public transit situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for remote workers. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Charlotte, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K 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.
24 upvotes
Asher Lopez
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The safety is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
24 upvotes
Austin Patel
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Highland. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in legal. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Definitely worth checking out..
23 upvotes
Grayson M.
Moved here from Salt Lake City about 14 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to community vibe but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
22 upvotes
Addison Edwards
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely challenging and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Maple Ridge) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
19 upvotes
caroline_girl
as a local I can confirm
18 upvotes
Mackenzie Scott
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely decent and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job 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.
17 upvotes
Laura P.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 14 years. Moved from Austin for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2018 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. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. retail 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 was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is solid - 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. South schools are decent. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Nightlife is limited. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Sofia H.
honestly same experience here
8 upvotes
Valentina Mendoza
haha yep pretty much
5 upvotes
quinn_life
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Cedar Grove. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in finance. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
No regrets on my end..
5 upvotes
Naomi H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 27, moved here 11 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in South and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The weather situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for young professionals. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
4 upvotes
Grayson Reyes
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in South area are decent. Kids love it here.
3 upvotes
Zoe Collins
Bought a house here in 2022 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone about the same since then.
3 upvotes
Luca
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is community vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
3 upvotes
local_grayson89
Bought a house here in 2016 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
1 upvotes
Henry Price
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if housing market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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