I've been here for 12 years and You can expect to pay around $2,293 for rent here. Household incomes average around $128,616 in Lake Arbor. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. What do you all think?
11 upvotes
10 Replies
Elijah G.
Totally agree!
40 upvotes
Angel
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 32, moved here 10 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Pine Hills and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Affordable housing options
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The nightlife situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for couples. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K 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.
31 upvotes
Timothy W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Sunset. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in real estate. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
29 upvotes
Avery James
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 5 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Eastside and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good internet infrastructure
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. Can feel isolated
3. The dating scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for young professionals. average vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 Atlanta, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K 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.
25 upvotes
Eli Cook
I've lived in Westside for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Decent public transit for the size
- The walkability scene is tough
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Feel free to reach out with questions..
23 upvotes
Delilah Garcia
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
16 upvotes
Serenity Phillips
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
13 upvotes
Dylan Jones
yeah no that's not right
12 upvotes
Katherine Martinez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 12 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
6 upvotes
Elijah H.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is solid in most areas.
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