Anyone else feel this way? We're a young couple and Poverty rate is 2.9%, which is pretty low. The median home value here is around $418,300, which is pretty steep. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Has anyone dealt with this? TIA!
6 upvotes
10 Replies
Charles T.
not my experience at all
33 upvotes
Carol E.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely tough and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (West) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
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.
33 upvotes
Valentina Moore
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 36, moved here 7 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Eastside and Fairview, 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. Nice parks and green spaces
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The outdoor recreation situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for singles. tough vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$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.
32 upvotes
Emmett Rivera
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is solid in most areas.
29 upvotes
Kennedy Alvarez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
22 upvotes
Greyson James
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.
22 upvotes
Alice Bennett
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Eastside. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in marketing. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
21 upvotes
Kai Ruiz
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The food scene is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
18 upvotes
raleigh_ruby
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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