Hey, I'm a teacher here and Median household income is $50,994, which feels on the lower side for the area. It's a a mid-size city city with about 194K people. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Does this match your experience? Property taxes are high but you get good services.
60 upvotes
19 Replies
Katherine A.
facts
30 upvotes
Sophia Torres
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 5 years. Moved from Houston for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2023 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:**
retail is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are underrated. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Limited shopping options. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
John Nelson
preach
28 upvotes
Hazel Sanchez
accurate
28 upvotes
Reagan Diaz
Moved here last year, no regrets.
22 upvotes
Charlotte
accurate
22 upvotes
Vivian Jones
yeah no that's not right
19 upvotes
coastal_hunter15
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Meadowbrook area are decent. Kids love it here.
17 upvotes
Gabriella R.
hmm interesting perspective
15 upvotes
Mia Flores
Moved here from Boston about 7 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to job market but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
14 upvotes
Wesley Flores
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
14 upvotes
Margaret A.
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. dating scene used to be much affordable but now it's hit or miss.
12 upvotes
Hannah P.
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much established but now it's surprisingly good.
12 upvotes
Elena Adams
Moved here last year, no regrets.
9 upvotes
Joan W.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Happy to answer more specific questions..
8 upvotes
Isabelle Morales
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 14 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
3 upvotes
Madeline
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Denver about 11 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good internet infrastructure
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are manageable, gas is tough.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
2 upvotes
James M.
hmm interesting perspective
1 upvotes
George H.
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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