Hello, I'm retired and Rent is about $1,097/month for a decent place. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Has anyone dealt with this?
10 upvotes
9 Replies
Everly Brooks
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 54, moved here 12 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Westside and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The nightlife situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for retirees. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 Minneapolis, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
36 upvotes
Andrew Phillips
I work in consulting here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is average. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
29 upvotes
sd_audrey
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The housing market is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
28 upvotes
Bella Thompson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely better than expected and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Highland) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
23 upvotes
Madelyn Harris
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in South area are excellent. Kids love it here.
10 upvotes
Hailey Carter
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 13 years here, that's my honest assessment.
4 upvotes
Bella W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 10 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the The Heights side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
3 upvotes
Mia Chavez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Westside. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like seafood.
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