Alright, Average temperature is around 52--F, so expect cold winters. Poverty rate is 6.1%, which is pretty low. Rent is about $1,013/month for a decent place. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. What neighborhoods would you suggest? Looking forward to hearing from you all. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The city has invested a lot in new development. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The city has invested a lot in new development. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
7 upvotes
16 Replies
Benjamin G.
seconding this
32 upvotes
Gabriel
spot on
30 upvotes
brooklyn_soul
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 11 years. Moved from San Francisco for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is decent - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are surprisingly good. 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 high-paying job options. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Asher Gomez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Springfield. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in real estate. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
27 upvotes
Riley Mitchell
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want community vibe, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
26 upvotes
Amy W.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
24 upvotes
Ruby
I work in finance here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is challenging. Happy to answer more specific questions..
22 upvotes
Jaxon Collins
preach
19 upvotes
Eliana Smith
interesting, hadn't considered that
18 upvotes
Caleb
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 5 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
18 upvotes
loving_victoria5
Moved here last year, no regrets.
17 upvotes
Gabriella Johnson
spot on
17 upvotes
James James
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
11 upvotes
fresno_henry
hard disagree but ok
9 upvotes
Genesis J.
yeah no that's not right
7 upvotes
Zoey Parker
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 1 years. Moved from San Diego for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is average - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are tough. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Far from beaches/mountains. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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