Hey folks, Median household income is $63,421, which feels about average for the area. Rent is about $1,177/month for a decent place. Household incomes average around $63,421 in Lancaster. The unemployment rate is 5.4%, which is about average. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Any advice would be great. Thanks for reading. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
10 upvotes
6 Replies
Kaylee Peterson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 13 years ago. The main reasons were weather and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Affordable housing options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are competitive, gas is challenging.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Feel free to reach out with questions..
40 upvotes
Ian Allen
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 13 years. Moved from Chicago for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. 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. Downtown schools are hit or miss. 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. Nightlife is limited. Can feel isolated. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Raymond B.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 12 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2018 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. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is decent - 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. The Heights 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. Limited entertainment options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
david_girl
wish I knew this sooner
17 upvotes
Jack Lewis
Came here for cost of living and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The walkability is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.