Rent is about $933/month for a decent place. You can expect to pay around $933 for rent here. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
14 upvotes
17 Replies
Luna Ramirez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Nashville about 6 years ago. The main reasons were weather and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good internet infrastructure
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are pricey, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Good luck with whatever you decide..
40 upvotes
living_nevaeh96
spot on
38 upvotes
isla_mind
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
35 upvotes
Matthew Allen
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 10 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is decent - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Can feel isolated. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Paisley Myers
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Lakewood. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in government. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Definitely worth checking out..
26 upvotes
Clara T.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 31, moved here 3 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Springfield and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Limited shopping options
3. The community vibe situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for couples. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
26 upvotes
Samuel Lewis
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Eastside for 3 years. Moved from Tampa for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. consulting 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 was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have lakes 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 improving. 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 healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Julian Baker
Totally agree!
25 upvotes
Natalie Morris
Came here for work and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The school system is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
19 upvotes
Joshua O.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 5 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
15 upvotes
Easton
I'm a chef and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
14 upvotes
Audrey G.
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
9 upvotes
Jack Hughes
I work in education here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is challenging. Hope this helps!.
8 upvotes
Weston M.
hmm interesting perspective
5 upvotes
Mia Parker
underrated comment
5 upvotes
Silas Thompson
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Greenfield area are underrated. Kids love it here.
3 upvotes
Luna
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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