First post here. We're a young couple and You can expect to pay around $1,620 for rent here. It's a a smaller city city with about 73,961 people. Property taxes are high but you get good services. What do you all think? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
25 upvotes
17 Replies
Ian Baker
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely underrated and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (West) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from LA, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job 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.
40 upvotes
Adeline B.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
40 upvotes
Hudson
same here
40 upvotes
Addison Bennett
I've lived in Downtown for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- The public transit scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for remote workers. Hope this helps!.
39 upvotes
oaklandsoul2022
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from San Diego about 13 years ago. The main reasons were weather and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Active local events and festivals
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are growing, gas is improving.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Good luck with whatever you decide..
39 upvotes
Douglas R.
nah I disagree
39 upvotes
Elena Adams
I'm a software engineer and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is average and there's always something going on.
38 upvotes
Natalie T.
been saying this for years
35 upvotes
William Sanchez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 24, moved here 13 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Westside and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The job market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for young professionals. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
33 upvotes
Serenity
seconding this
23 upvotes
Rylee Perez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 46, moved here 15 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in South and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Can feel isolated
3. The food scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for retirees. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Raleigh, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
22 upvotes
Theodore Myers
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Pine Hills. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in real estate. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
19 upvotes
Nova Lewis
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
15 upvotes
Eleanor M.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Pittsburgh it's improving.
12 upvotes
Stella Turner
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much growing but now it's excellent.
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