Anyone else feel this way? Household incomes average around $71,239 in Leavenworth. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to.
24 upvotes
12 Replies
Emilia Allen
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
40 upvotes
Madelyn W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 28, moved here 15 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Can feel isolated
3. The food scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for retirees. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Seattle, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
39 upvotes
Xavier Nguyen
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much stable but now it's hit or miss.
30 upvotes
Angel Garcia
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Meadowbrook. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in finance. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Definitely worth checking out..
25 upvotes
isla_living
same here
19 upvotes
Greyson Bennett
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 9 years. Moved from Atlanta for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. consulting 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'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills 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. Rising rent and home prices. Urban sprawl is real. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Jayden Morales
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 14 years. Moved from Raleigh for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is solid - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Riverside 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. Road conditions need improvement. Homeless population growing downtown. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Paisley Castillo
been saying this for years
12 upvotes
Aiden
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
11 upvotes
Savannah B.
haha yep pretty much
4 upvotes
Connor M.
honestly same experience here
2 upvotes
Eugene S.
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 Austin. I've lived in North and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The safety situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for couples. tough vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Austin, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.