Anyone else feel this way? Been living here since 2005. Median household income is $89,645, which feels pretty solid for the area. Average temperature is around 69--F, so the weather is moderate. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Any advice would be great. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
15 upvotes
29 Replies
Hudson Robinson
noted, appreciate it
39 upvotes
Jack R.
+1
38 upvotes
Jacob M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 44, moved here 8 years ago from LA. I've lived in Greenfield and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The cost of living situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for remote workers. decent 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 LA, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
37 upvotes
Josiah Perez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Denver it's improving.
36 upvotes
Victoria Jimenez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 24, moved here 9 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Uptown and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The cost of living situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for families. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Houston, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with 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.
35 upvotes
Robert H.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Oak Park. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Definitely worth checking out..
33 upvotes
Aaron Moore
Bought a house here in 2018 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone about the same since then.
32 upvotes
Brooklyn Anderson
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
31 upvotes
Bella Sanchez
bump
29 upvotes
Alexis C.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Feel free to reach out with questions..
26 upvotes
Hailey Flores
Can confirm, been here 5 years.
25 upvotes
Henry B.
thanks for sharing
24 upvotes
Kai Flores
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Denver 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 South. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Hope this helps!.
24 upvotes
Carson Perez
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much wild but now it's average.
23 upvotes
Levi R.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is surprisingly good in most areas.
19 upvotes
Hudson
couldn't agree more
19 upvotes
Adam Jackson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want nightlife, then yeah this place is great. But if cultural scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
18 upvotes
Emily Edwards
Used to live on the Lakewood side, now on the Springfield side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
17 upvotes
Gabriella Morris
+1
11 upvotes
Harper Sanchez
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
10 upvotes
Elijah Mitchell
I'm a electrician and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
8 upvotes
Thomas R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely average and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Midtown) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. job market 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.
8 upvotes
Joshua W.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's exactly what I was looking for. Internet is challenging in most areas.
7 upvotes
Christian Rodriguez
big facts right here
6 upvotes
Liam Jones
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
6 upvotes
Mason Lee
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
3 upvotes
Luca White
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 7 years. Moved from Minneapolis for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2023 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. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is average - 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. Downtown 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. Road conditions need improvement. Limited shopping options. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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