I'm originally from Tucson and Poverty rate is 18.4%, which is higher than I expected. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
54 upvotes
7 Replies
Danielle M.
glad someone said it
39 upvotes
Caroline Ramirez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Seattle it's hit or miss.
23 upvotes
Colton R.
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great Southern places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
20 upvotes
Sophia Garcia
Bought a house here in 2017 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
15 upvotes
Sebastian Mitchell
hmm interesting perspective
10 upvotes
Jayden T.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 26, moved here 2 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Downtown and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The healthcare situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for retirees. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Tampa, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
9 upvotes
Anna Morris
Bought a house here in 2016 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
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