OK so We have two kids and Poverty rate is 2.8%, which is pretty low. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
7 upvotes
13 Replies
Emilia Thompson
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 26, moved here 3 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Riverside and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Close to major attractions
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Limited shopping options
3. The community vibe situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Riverside: Great for remote workers. pretty good 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 Chicago, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K 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.
33 upvotes
Audrey A.
spot on
33 upvotes
Delilah G.
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The traffic is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
32 upvotes
Lucas R.
I've lived in Midtown for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Strong job market in several industries
- The school system scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Hope this helps!.
31 upvotes
Piper H.
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
21 upvotes
Anna
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Greenfield. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in education. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
19 upvotes
Ezra Adams
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if traffic matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
18 upvotes
Valentina J.
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
12 upvotes
Stella T.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Houston about 13 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are reasonable, gas is tough.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
10 upvotes
Avery J.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want walkability, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
10 upvotes
Evan Young
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the Eastside side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
7 upvotes
Nolan Alvarez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Springfield. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
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